LAVENGRO
THE SCHOLAR, THE
GYPSY, THE PRIEST
BY GEORGE BORROW
with twelve illustrations in colour
BY EDMUND J. SULLIVAN
T. N. FOULIS, PUBLISHER
london, edinburgh & boston
Published November 1914
Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co.
at the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh
PREFACE
In the following pages I have endeavoured to describe a dream, partly of study, partly of adventure, in which will be found copious notices of books, and many descriptions of life and manners, some in a very unusual form.
The scenes of action lie in the British Islands;—pray be not displeased, gentle reader, if perchance thou hast imagined that I was about to conduct thee to distant lands, and didst promise thyself much instruction and entertainment from what I might tell thee of them. I do assure thee that thou hast no reason to be displeased, inasmuch as there are no countries in the world less known by the British than these selfsame British Islands, or where more strange things are every day occurring, whether in road or street, house or dingle.
The time embraces nearly the first quarter of the present century: this information again may, perhaps, be anything but agreeable to thee; it is a long time to revert to, but fret not thyself, many matters which at present much occupy the public mind originated in some degree towards the latter end of that period, and some of them will be treated of.
The principal actors in this dream, or drama, are, as you will have gathered from the title-page, a Scholar, a Gypsy, and a Priest. Should you imagine that these three form one, permit me to assure you that you are very much mistaken. Should there be something of the Gypsy manifest in the Scholar, there is certainly nothing of the Priest. With respect to the Gypsy—decidedly the most entertaining character of the three—there is certainly nothing of the Scholar or the Priest in him; and as for the Priest, though there may be something in him both of scholarship and gypsyism, neither the Scholar nor the Gypsy would feel at all flattered by being confounded with him.
Many characters which may be called subordinate will be found, and it is probable that some of these characters will afford much more interest to the reader than those styled the principal. The favourites with the writer are a brave old soldier and his helpmate, an ancient gentlewoman who sold apples, and a strange kind of wandering man and his wife.
Amongst the many things attempted in this book is the encouragement of charity, and free and genial manners, and the exposure of humbug, of which there are various kinds, but of which the most perfidious, the most debasing, and the most cruel, is the humbug of the Priest.
Yet let no one think that irreligion is advocated in this book. With respect to religious tenets I wish to observe that I am a member of the Church of England, into whose communion I was baptized, and to which my forefathers belonged. Its being the religion in which I was baptized, and of my forefathers, would be a strong inducement to me to cling to it; for I do not happen to be one of those choice spirits ‘who turn from their banner when the battle bears strongly against it, and go over to the enemy,’ and who receive at first a hug and a ‘viva,’ and in the sequel contempt and spittle in the face; but my chief reason for belonging to it is, because, of all churches calling themselves Christian ones, I believe there is none so good, so well founded upon Scripture, or whose ministers are, upon the whole, so exemplary in their lives and conversation, so well read in the book from which they preach, or so versed in general learning, so useful in their immediate neighbourhoods, or so unwilling to persecute people of other denominations for matters of doctrine.
In the communion of this Church, and with the religious consolation of its ministers, I wish and hope to live and die, and in its and their defence will at all times be ready, if required, to speak, though humbly, and to fight, though feebly, against enemies, whether carnal or spiritual.
And is there no priestcraft in the Church of England? There is certainly, or rather there was, a modicum of priestcraft in the Church of England, but I have generally found that those who are most vehement against the Church of England are chiefly dissatisfied with her because there is only a modicum of that article in her—were she stuffed to the very cupola with it, like a certain other Church, they would have much less to say against the Church of England.
By the other Church, I mean Rome. Its system was once prevalent in England, and, during the period that it prevailed there, was more prolific of debasement and crime than all other causes united. The people and the government at last becoming enlightened by means of the Scripture spurned it from the island with disgust and horror, the land instantly after its disappearance becoming a fair field, in which arts, sciences, and all the amiable virtues flourished, instead of being a pestilent marsh where swine-like ignorance wallowed, and artful hypocrites, like so many Wills-o’-the-wisp, played antic gambols about, around, and above debased humanity.
But Popery still wished to play her old part, to regain her lost dominion, to reconvert the smiling land into the pestilential morass, where she could play again her old antics. From the period of the Reformation in England up to the present time, she has kept her emissaries here, individuals contemptible in intellect, it is true, but cat-like and gliding, who, at her bidding, have endeavoured, as much as in their power has lain, to damp and stifle every genial, honest, loyal, and independent thought, and to reduce minds to such a state of dotage as would enable their old Popish mother to do what she pleased with them.
And in every country, however enlightened, there are always minds inclined to grovelling superstition—minds fond of eating dust and swallowing clay—minds never at rest, save when prostrate before some fellow in a surplice; and these Popish emissaries found always some weak enough to bow down before them, astounded by their dreadful denunciations of eternal woe and damnation to any who should refuse to believe their Romania; but they played a poor game—the law protected the servants of Scripture, and the priest with his beads seldom ventured to approach any but the remnant of those of the eikonolatry—representatives of worm-eaten houses, their debased dependents, and a few poor crazy creatures amongst the middle classes—he played a poor game, and the labour was about to prove almost entirely in vain, when the English legislature, in compassion or contempt, or, yet more probably, influenced by that spirit of toleration and kindness which is so mixed up with Protestantism, removed almost entirely the disabilities under which Popery laboured, and enabled it to raise its head and to speak out almost without fear.
And it did raise its head, and, though it spoke with some little fear at first, soon discarded every relic of it; went about the land uttering its damnation cry, gathering around it—and for doing so many thanks to it—the favourers of
But thanks, Popery, you have done all that the friends of enlightenment and religious liberty could wish; but if ever there were a set of foolish ones to be found under heaven, surely it is the priestly rabble who came over from Rome to direct the grand movement—so long in its getting up.
But now again the damnation cry is withdrawn, there is a subdued meekness in your demeanour, you are now once more harmless as a lamb. Well, we shall see how the trick—‘the old trick’—will serve you.
THE LIST OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
Birth—My father—Tamerlane—Ben Brain—French Protestants—East Anglia—Sorrow and troubles—True peace—A beautiful child—Foreign grave—Mirrors—The Alpine country—Emblems—Slowness of speech—The Jew—Some strange gestures
1–9
CHAPTER TWO
Barracks and lodgings—A camp—The viper—A delicate child—Blackberry time—Meum and tuum—Hythe—The Golgotha—Daneman’s skull—Superhuman stature—Stirring times—The sea-bord
10–16
CHAPTER THREE
Pretty D---—The venerable church—The stricken heart—Dormant energies—The small packet—Nerves—The books—A picture—Mountain-like billows—The footprint—Spirit of De Foe—Reasoning powers—Terrors of God—Heads of the dragons—High-Church clerk—A journey—My father recalled to his regiment—The drowned country
17–26
CHAPTER FOUR
Norman Cross—Wide expanse—Vive l’Empereur—Unpruned woods—Man with the bag—Froth and conceit—I beg your pardon—Growing timid—About three o’clock—Taking one’s ease—Cheek on the ground—King of the vipers—Frenchmen and water
27–34
CHAPTER FIVE
The tent—Man and woman—Dark and swarthy—Manner of speaking—Bad money—Transfixed—Faltering tone—Little basket—High opinion—Plenty of good—Keeping guard—Tilted cart—Rubricals—Jasper—The right sort—The horseman—John Newton—The alarm—Gentle brothers
35–45
CHAPTER SIX
Three years—Lilly’s grammar—Proficiency—Ignorant of figures—The school bell—Order of succession—Persecution—What are we to do?—Northward—A goodly scene—Haunted ground—The feats of chivalry—Rivers—And over the brig
46–53
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Castle—A father’s inquiries—Scotch language—A determination—Bui hin Digri—Good Scotchman—Difference of races—Ne’er a haggis—Pugnacious people—Wha are ye, man?—The Nor’ Loch—Gestures wild—The bicker—Wild-looking figure
54–62
CHAPTER EIGHT
Expert climbers—The crags—Something red—The horrible edge—David Haggart—Fine materials—Victory—Extraordinary robber—Ruling passion
63–67
CHAPTER NINE
Napoleon—The storm—The cove—Up the country—The trembling hand—Irish—Tough battle—Tipperary hills—Elegant lodgings—Fair specimen
68–74
CHAPTER TEN
Protestant young gentlemen—The Greek letters—Open chimney—Murtagh—To Paris and Salamanca—Nothing to do—To whit, to whoo!—Christmas
75–79
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Templemore—Devil’s Mountain—No companion—Force of circumstance—Way of the world—Ruined castle—Grim and desolate—Donjon—My own house
80–85
CHAPTER TWELVE
A visit—Figure of a man—The dog of peace—The raw wound—The guardroom—Boy soldier—Person in authority—Never solitary—Clergyman and family—Still-hunting—Fairy man—Near sunset—Bagg—Left-handed hitter—At Swanton Morley
86–94
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Groom and cob—Strength and symmetry—Where’s the saddle?—The first ride—No more fatigue—Love
95–101
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
A fine old city—Norman master-work—Lollards’ Hole—Good blood—The Spaniard’s sword—Old retired officer—Writing to a duke—God help the child—Nothing like Jacob—Irish brigades—Old Sergeant Meredith—I have been young—Idleness—The bookstall—A portrait—A banished priest
102–110
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Monsieur Dante—Condemned musket—Sporting—Sweet rivulet—The Earl’s Home—The pool—The sonorous voice—What dost thou read?—The man of peace—Of Zohar and of Mishna—The money-changers
111–117
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Fair of horses—Looks of respect—The fast trotter—Pair of eyes—Strange men—Jasper, your pal—Force of blood—The young lady with diamonds
118–123
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The tents—Pleasant discourse—I am Pharaoh—Shifting for one’s self—Horse-shoes—This is wonderful—Bless your wisdom—A pretty manœuvre—Ill day to the Romans—My name is Herne—A singular people—An original speech
124–132
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
What profession?—Not fitted for a Churchman—Erratic course—The bitter draught—Principle of woe—Thou wouldst be joyous—What ails you?
133–136
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Agreeable delusions—Youth—A profession—Ab Gwilym—Glorious English law—There they pass—My dear old master—The deal desk—The Language of the tents—Where is Morfydd?—Go to—Only once
137–144
CHAPTER TWENTY
Silver grey—Good word for everybody—A remarkable youth—The archdeacon—Reading the Bible
145–148
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The eldest son—Saying of wild Finland—The critical time—Vaunting polls—One thing wanted—A father’s blessing—Miracle of art—The Pope’s house—The young enthusiast—Pictures of England—Persist and wrestle—Of the little dark man
149–154
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Desire for novelty—Lives of the lawless—Countenances—Old yeoman and dame—We live near the sea—Uncouth-looking volume—The other condition—Draoitheac—A dilemma—The Antinomian—Lodowick Muggleton—Anders Vedel
155–162
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The two individuals—The long pipe—The Germans—Werther—The female Quaker—Suicide—Gibbon—Jesus of Bethlehem—Fill your glass—Shakespeare—English at Minden—Melancholy Swayne Vonved—Are you happy?—Improve yourself in German
163–171
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The alehouse-keeper—Compassion for the rich—Old English gentleman—How is this?—Madeira—The Greek Parr—Twenty languages—Winter’s health—About the fight—A sporting gentleman—Flattened nose—That pightle—The surly nod
172–179
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Doubts—Wise king of Jerusalem—Let me see—A thousand years—Nothing new—The crowd—The hymn—Faith—Charles Wesley—There he stood—Farewell, brother—Death—Wind on the heath
180–187
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The flower of the grass—Days of pugilism—The rendezvous—Jews—Bruisers of England—Winter, spring—Well-earned bays—The fight—The huge black cloud—A frame of adamant—The storm—Dukkeripens—The barouche—The rain-gushes
188–195
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
My father—Premature decay—The easy-chair—A few questions—So you told me—A difficult language—They call it Haik—Misused opportunities—Saul—Want of candour—Don’t weep—Heaven forgive me—Dated from Paris—I wish he were here—A father’s reminiscences—Vanities
196–204
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
My brother’s arrival—A dying father—Christ
205–207
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The greeting—Queer figure—Cheer up—The cheerful fire—The trepidation—Let him come in
208–211
CHAPTER THIRTY
The sinister glance—Excellent correspondent—Quite original—My system—A losing trade—Merit—Starting a Review—What have you got?—Dairyman’s Daughter—Oxford principles—How is this?
212–218
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
The walk—London’s Cheape—Street of the Lombards—Strange bridge—Main arch—The roaring gulf—The boat—Cly-faking—A comfort—No trap
219–225
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
The tanner—The hotel—Drinking claret—London journal—New field—Commonplaceness—The three individuals—Botheration—Both frank and ardent
226–231
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Dine with the publisher—Religions—No animal food—Unprofitable discussions—principles of criticism—The book market—Newgate lives—Goethe—German acquirements—Moral dignity
232–237
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Two volumes—Editor—Quintilian—Loose money
238–240
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Francis Ardry—Certain sharpers—Brave and eloquent—Opposites—Flinging the bones—In strange places—A batch of dogs—Redoubled application
241–245
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Occupations—Traduttore traditore—Ode to the Mist—Apple and pear—Reviewing—Current literature—Oxford-like manner—A plain story—Ill-regulated mind—Unsnuffed candle—Dreams
246–251
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
My brother—Fits of crying—Mayor-elect—The committee—The Norman arch—A word of Greek—The Church and the State—At my own expense
252–256
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Painter of the heroic—I’ll go!—A modest peep—Who is this?—A capital Pharaoh—Disproportionably short—Imaginary picture—About English figures
257–260
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
No authority whatever—Interference—Wondrous farrago—Brandt and Struensee—What a life!—The hearse—Mortal relics—Great poet—Fashion and fame—A difference—Good for nothing
261–267
CHAPTER FORTY
London Bridge—Why not?—Every heart has its own bitters—Wicked boys—Give me my book—A fright
268–271
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Decrease of the Review—Homer himself—Bread and cheese—Finger and thumb—Impossible to find—Something grand—Universal mixture—Publisher
272–276
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Francis Ardry—That won’t do, sir—Observe my gestures—I think you improve—Better than politics—Delightful young Frenchwoman—A burning shame—Paunch—Voltaire—Lump of sugar
277–282
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Progress—Glorious John—Utterly unintelligible
283–284
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
The old spot—A long history—Thou shalt not steal—No harm—Education—Necessity—Foam on your lip—Metaphor—Fur cap—I don’t know him
285–291
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Bought and exchanged—Quite empty—A new firm—Bibles—Countenance of a lion—Clap of thunder—Lost it—Clearly a
292–297
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
The pickpocket—Strange rencounter—Drag him along—A great service—Things of importance—Philological matters—A mother of languages
298–301
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
New acquaintance—Wired cases—Bread and wine—Armenian colonies—Learning without money—What a language—The tide—Your foible—Learning of the Haiks—Pressing invitation
302–307
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
What to do—Strong enough—Fame and profit—Alliterative euphony—A plan—Bagnigge Wells
308–311
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Singular personage—A large sum—Papa of Rome—Armenians—Roots of Ararat—Regular features
312–315
CHAPTER FIFTY
Wish fulfilled—Extraordinary figure—Bueno—Noah—The two faces—I don’t blame him—Of money
316–319
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
The one half-crown—Merit in patience—Cementer of friendship—Dreadful perplexity—The usual guttural—Armenian letters—Pure helplessness
320–324
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Kind of stupor—Peace of God—Divine hand—Farewell, child—The fair—The massive edifice—The battered tars—Lost! lost!—Good-day, gentlemen
325–329
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Singular table—No money—Out of employ—My bonnet—We of the thimble—Good wages—Wisely resolved—Strangest way in the world—Fat gentleman—Not such another—First edition—Not easy—Won’t close—Avella gorgio—Alarmed look
330–338
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Mr. Petulengro—Rommany Rye—Lil-writers—One’s own horn—Lawfully-earnt money—The wooded hill—A favourite—Shop window—Much wanted
339–343
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Bread and water—Fair play—Fashionable life—Colonel B--- or Joseph Sell—The kindly glow
344–347
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Considerably sobered—The power of writing—The tempter—The hungry talent—Work concluded
348–350
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
Nervous look—The bookseller’s wife—The last stake—Terms—God forbid!—Will you come to tea?
351–354
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Indisposition—A resolution—Poor equivalents—The piece of gold—Flashing eyes—How beautiful
355–358
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
The milestone—Meditation—Want to get up?—Sixteen shillings—Near-hand wheeler—All right
359–362
CHAPTER SIXTY
The still hour—A thrill—The wondrous circle—The shepherd—Heaps and barrows—What do you mean?—The milk of the plains—Hengist spared it
363–367
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
The river—The arid downs—A prospect
368–369
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
The hostelry—Life uncertain—Open countenance—The grand point—Thank you, master—A hard mother—Poor dear!—The odds—The better country—English fashion—Landlord-looking person
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Primitive habits—Rosy-faced damsel—A pleasant moment—Suit of black—The furtive glance—The mighty round—These degenerate times—The newspaper—The evil chance—I must congratulate you
376–381
CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
New acquaintance—Old French style—The portrait—Taciturnity—The evergreen tree—The dark hour—The flash—Ancestors—A fortunate man—A posthumous child—Antagonist ideas—The hawks—Flaws—The pony—Irresistible impulse—Favourable crisis—Topmost branch—Ashamed
382–392
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
Maternal anxiety—The baronet—Little zest—Mr. Speaker!—Craving—Spirited address—Author
393–397
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
Trepidations—Subtle principle—Perverse imagination—Are they mine?—Another book—How hard!—Agricultural dinner—Incomprehensible actions—Inmost bosom—Give it up—Rascally newspaper
398–404
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
Disturbed slumbers—The bed-post—Two wizards—What can I do?—Real library—The Rev. Mr. Platitude—Toleration to Dissenters—Paradox—Sword of St. Peter—Enemy to humbug—High principles—False concord—The damsel—What religion?—The further conversation—That would never do!
405–414
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
Elastic step—Disconsolate party—Not the season—Mend your draught—Good ale—Crotchet—Hammer and tongs—Schoolmaster—True Eden life—Flaming Tinman—Twice my size—Hard at work—My poor wife—Grey Moll—A Bible—Half-and-half—What to do—Half inclined—In no time—On one condition only—Don’t stare—Like unto the wind
415–426
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
Effects of corn—One night longer—The hoofs—A stumble—Are you hurt?—What a difference—Drowsy—Maze of bushes—Housekeeping—Sticks and furze—The driftway—An account of stock
427–434
CHAPTER SEVENTY
New profession—Beautiful night—Jupiter—Sharp and shrill—Rommany chi—All alone—Three-and-sixpence—What is Rommany?—Be civil—Parraco tute—Slight start—Grateful—The rustling
435–442
CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE
Friend of Slingsby—All quiet—Danger—The two cakes—Children in the wood—Don’t be angry—In deep thought—Temples throbbing—Deadly sick—Another blow—No answer—How old are you?—Play and sacrament—Heavy heart—Song of poison—The drow of gypsies—The dog—Of Ely’s church—Get up, bebee—The vehicle—Can you speak?—The oil
443–454
CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO
Desired effect—The three oaks—Winifred—Things of time—With God’s will—The preacher—Creature comforts—Croesaw—Welsh and English—Chester
455–460
CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
Morning hymn—Much alone—John Bunyan—Beholden to nobody—Sixty-five—Sober greeting—Early Sabbaths—Finny brood—The porch—No fortune-telling—The master’s niece—Doing good—The groans and voices—Pechod Ysprydd Glan
461–468
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR
The following day—Pride—Thriving trade—Tylwyth Teg—About Ellis Wyn—Sleeping bard—The incalculable good—Fearful agony—The tale
469–473
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
Taking a cup—Getting to heaven—After breakfast—Wooden gallery—Mechanical habit—Reserved and gloomy—Last words—A long time—From the clouds—Momentary chill—Pleasing anticipation
474–480
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX
Hasty farewell—Lofty rock—Wrestlings of Jacob—No rest—Ways of Providence—Two females—Foot of the Cross—Enemy of souls—Perplexed—Lucky hour—Valetudinarian—Methodists—Fervent in your prayer—You Saxons—Weak creatures—Very agreeable—Almost happy—Kindness and solicitude
481–490
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
Getting
491–494
CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT
Low and calm—Much better—The blessed effect
495–497
CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE
Deep interest—Goodly country—Two mansions—Welshman’s Candle—Beautiful universe—Godly discourse—Fine church—Points of doctrine—Strange adventures—The Pontiff—Evil spirit
498–504
CHAPTER EIGHTY
The border—Thank you both—Pipe and fiddle
505–507
CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE
At a funeral—Two days ago—Very coolly—Roman woman—Well and hearty—Somewhat dreary—Plum pudding—Roman fashion—Quite different—The dark lane—Beyond time—Fine fellow—Like a wild cat—Pleasant enough spot—No gloves
508–517
CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO
Offence and defence—I’m satisfied—Fond of solitude—Possession of property—Winding path
518–520
CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE
Highly poetical—Volundr—Grecian mythology—Making a petul—Spite of dukkerin—Heaviness
521–525
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR
Several causes—Frogs and eftes—Gloom and twilight—What should I do?—‘Our Father’—Fellow-men—What a mercy!—History of Saul—Pitch dark
526–531
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE
Free and independent—I don’t see why—Oats—A noise—Unwelcome visitors—What’s the matter?—Good-day to ye—The tall girl—Dovrefeld—Blow on the face—Civil enough—What’s this?—Vulgar woman—Hands off—Gasping for breath—Long Melford—A pretty manœuvre—A long draught—Animation—It won’t do—Nomalice—Bad people
532–544
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX
At tea—Vapours—Of Isopel Berners—So softly and kindly—Sweet pretty creature—Bread and water—Truth and constancy—Very strangely
545–549
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN
Hubbub of voices—No offence—The guests
550–551
CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT
A Radical—Simple-looking man—Church of England—The President—Aristocracy—Gin and water—Mending the roads—Persecuting Church—Simon de Montfort—Broken bells—Get up—Not for the Pope—Quay of New York—Mumpers’ Dingle—No wish to fight—First draught—Half a crown broke
552–561
CHAPTER EIGHTY-NINE
The dingle—Give them ale—Not over complimentary—America—Many people—Washington—Promiscuous company—Language of the roads—The old women—Some numerals—The man in black
562–567
CHAPTER NINETY
Buona sera—Rather apprehensive—The steep bank—Lovely virgin—Hospitality—Tory minister—Custom of the country—Sneering smile—Wandering Zigan—Gypsies’ cloaks—Certain faculty—Acute answer—Various ways—Addio—The best Hollands
568–575
CHAPTER NINETY-ONE
Excursions—Adventurous English—Opaque forests
576–577
CHAPTER NINETY-TWO
The landlord—Rather too old—Without a shilling—Reputation—A fortnight ago—Liquids—Irrational beings—Parliament cove—My brewer
578–583
CHAPTER NINETY-THREE
Another visit—Clever man—Another statue
584–586
Prerogative—Feeling of gratitude—A long history—Alliterative style—Advantageous specimen—Jesuit benefice—Not sufficient—Queen Stork’s tragedy—Good sense—Grandeur and gentility—Ironmonger’s daughter—Clan Mac-Sycophant—Lickspittles—A curiosity—Newspaper editors—Charles the Simple—High-flying ditty—Dissenters—Lower classes—Priestley’s house—Ancestors—Austin—Renovating glass—Money—Quite original
587–601
CHAPTER NINETY-FIVE
Wooded retreat—Fresh shoes—Wood fire—Ash, when green—Queen of China—Cleverest people—Declensions—Armenian—Thunder—Deep olive—What do you mean?—Bushes—Wood pigeon—Old Göthe
602–610
CHAPTER NINETY-SIX
A shout—A fireball—See to the horses—Passing away—Gap in the hedge—On three wheels—Why do you stop?—No craven heart—The cordial—Bags
611–616
CHAPTER NINETY-SEVEN
Fire of charcoal—The new-comer—No wonder!—Not a blacksmith—A love affair—Gretna Green—A cool thousand—Family estates—Borough interest—Grand education—Let us hear—Already quarrelling—Honourable parents—Not common people
617–625
CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT
An exordium—Fine ships—High Barbary captains—Free-born Englishmen—Monstrous figure—Swashbuckler—The grand coaches—The footmen—A travelling expedition—Black Jack—Nelson’s cannon—Pharaoh’s butler—A diligence—Two passengers—Sharking priest—Virgilio—Lessons in Italian—Two opinions—Holy Mary—Priestly confederates—Methodist—Like a sepulchre—All for themselves
626–639
CHAPTER NINETY-NINE
A cloister—Half English—New acquaintance—Mixed liquors—Turning Papist—Purposes of charity—Foreign religion—Melancholy—Elbowing and pushing—Outlandish sight—The figure—I don’t care for you—Merry-andrews—One good—Religion of my country—Fellow of spirit—A dispute—The next morning—Proper dignity—Fetish country
640–651
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED
Nothing but gloom—Sporting character—Gouty Tory—Reformado footman—Peroration—Good-night
652–655
THE LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
From water-colour drawings by Edmund J. Sullivan
‘As I read over the lives of these robbers and pickpockets, strange doubts began to arise in my mind about virtue and crime’
Frontispiece
‘Fool, indeed! . . . or I’ll forfeit the box’
page 8
‘Once I saw him standing in the middle of a dusty road’
32
‘A wild grimy figure of a man . . . fashioning a piece of iron’
96
‘There’s night and day, brother, both sweet things; sun, moon, and stars, brother, all sweet things; there’s likewise a wind on the heath. Life is very sweet, brother; who would wish to die?’
186
‘All safe with me; I never peach, and scorns a trap; so now, dear, God bless you!’
224
‘I am willing to encourage merit, sir; . . . I have determined that you shall translate my book of philosophy’
240
‘The bar of the gate’
416
Mrs. Herne
512
‘The blow which I struck the Tinker’
544
Isopel Berners
560
‘The man in black’