第5章

类别:其他 作者:Andrew Lang字数:20479更新时间:18/12/14 13:20:41
ItwasonlyStoddart,unconsciouslyinsympathywithParis,andcensuredbyhisliteraryfriends,whoproducedtheoneBritishRomanticworkof1830。Thetitleitselfshowsthathewaspartlylaughingathisownperformance;hehasthemockeryofLesJeunesFranceinhim,aswellasthewormyandobituaryjoysofLaComediedelaMort。Thelittlebookcameout,inspiredby\"allthepoetasters。\"ChristopherNorthwrote,fouryearslater,inBlackwood\'sMagazine,atardyreview。Hestyledit\"aningeniouslyabsurdpoem,withaningeniouslyabsurdtitle,writteninastrange,namby-pambysortofstyle,betweentheweakestofShelleyandthestrongestofBarryCornwall。\"Thebook\"felldeadfromthePress,\"farmoredeadthan\"OmarKhayyam。\"Nay,misfortunepursuedit,MissStoddartkindlyinformsme,anditwasdoomedtotheflames。The\"remainder,\"thebulkoftheedition,wasreturnedtothepoetinsheets,andbyhimwasdepositedinagarret。Thefamilyhadacook,oneBetty,adescendant,perhaps,of\"thatunhappyBettyorElizabethBarnes,cookofMr。Warburton,SomersetHerald,\"whoburned,amongotherquartos,Shakespeare\'s\"HenryI。,\" \"HenryII。,\"and\"KingStephen。\"Truetoherinheritedinstincts,Mr。Stoddart\'sBetty,slowly,relentlessly,throughfortyyears,used\"TheDeathWake\"fortheneedsandprocessesofherart。Thewholeoftheedition,exceptprobablyafew\"presentationcopies,\" perishedinthekitchen。Asforthatfellcook,letushopethat\"TheBiblioclasticDeadHavediversepainstobrook,TheybreakAffliction\'sbreadWithBettyBarnes,theCook,\" astheauthorof\"TheBirdBride\"sings。 MissStoddarthadjustinformedmeofthisdisaster,whichleftonealmosthopelessofeverowningacopyof\"TheDeathWake,\"whenI foundabrownpaperparcelamongmanythatcontainedto-day\'sminorpoetry\"withtheauthor\'scompliments,\"andlo,inthisunpromisingparcelwasthelong-soughtvolume!Eversinceonewasasmallboy,readingStoddart\'s\"ScottishAngler,\"andoldBlackwood\'s,onehadpinedforasightof\"TheNecromaunt,\"andhere,cleaninits\"purepurplemantle\"ofsmoothcloth,laythedesiredone! \"LikeDian\'skiss,unasked,unsought,Itgaveitself,andwasnotbought,\" being,indeed,thediscoveryandgiftofafriendwhofishesandstudiestheLacustrineMuses。 Thecopyhasapeculiarinterest;itoncebelongedtoAytoun,thewriterof\"TheScottishCavaliers,\"of\"TheBonGaultierBallads,\" andof\"Firmilian,\"thescourgeoftheSpasmodicSchool。Mr。 Aytounhasadornedthemarginswithnotesandwithcaricaturesofskullsandcross-bones,whilethefly-leavesbearasonnettotheauthor,andalyricindoggerel。Surelythisis,indeed,aliterarycuriosity。Thesonnetrunsthus:- \"OwormyThomasStoddart,whoinheritestRichthoughtsandloathsome,nauseouswordsandrare,Tellme,myfriend,whyisitthatthouferretestAndgropestineachdeath-corruptedlair? Seek\'stthouformaggotssuchashaveaffinityWiththoseinthineownbrain,ordostthouthinkThatallissweetwhichhathahorridstink? WhydostthoumakeHaut-goutthysoledivinity? HereisenoughofgeniustoconvertViledungtopreciousdiamondsandtospare,Thenwhytransformthediamondintodirt,Andchangethymind,whichshouldberichandfair,Intoamedleyofcreationsfoul,AsifaSeraphwouldbecomeaGhoul?\" NodoubtMr。Stoddart\'sotherpassionforangling,inwhichheusedaScottishlatitudeconcerningbait,{7}impelledhimtosearchfor\"wormsandmaggots\":- \"Fireandfaggots,Wormsandmaggots,\" asAytounwritesontheotherfly-leaf,areindeedthematterof\"TheDeathWake。\" Then,why,someonemayask,writeabout\"TheDeathWake\"atall? Whyrouseagainthenightmareofaboyoftwenty?CertainlyIamnottosaythat\"TheDeathWake\"isapearlofgreatprice,butitdoescontainpassagesofpoetry——ofpoetryverycuriousbecauseitisfullofthenewnote,thenewmelodywhichyoungMr。Tennysonwasbeginningtowaken。ItanticipatesBeddoes,itcoincideswithGautierandLesChimeresofGerard,itanswerstheaccents,thenunheardinEngland,ofPoe。SomeAmericanwhoreadoutofthewaythings,andwasnottooscrupulous,recognised,androbbed,abrotherinTomStoddart。Elevenyearsafter\"TheDeathWake\" appearedinEngland,itwaspublishedinGraham\'sMagazine,as\"Agatha,aNecromauntinThreeChimeras,\"byLouisFitzgeraldTasistro。NowPoewascloselyconnectedwithGraham\'sMagazine,andafter\"ArthurGordonPym,\"\"LouisFitzgeraldTasistro\"doessuggestEdgarAllenPoe。ButPoewasnotTasistro。 SomuchfortheliteraryhistoryoftheLunacy。 Thepoembegins——ChimeraI。begins:- \"Ananthemofasisterchoristry! And,likeawindwardmurmurofthesea,O\'ersilvershells,sosolemnlyitfalls!\" Theanthemaccompaniesaprocessionofholyfatherstowardsabier; \"AgatheWasonthelid——aname。Andwho?Nomore! \'TwasonlyAgathe。\" Asolitarymonkisprowlingaroundinthemoonlitcathedral;hehasabrowofstonymarble,hehasravenhair,andhefaltersoutthenameofAgathe。Hehassaidadieutothatfairone,andtohersisterPeace,thatliethinhergrave。Hehasloved,andloves,thesilentAgathe。HewasthesonofaCrusader,\"AndJuliohadfainHavebeenawarrior,buthisverybrainGrewfeveredatthesicklythoughtofdeath,Andtobestrickenwithawantofbreath。\" Onthewholehedidwellnottoentertheservice。Mr。Aytounhasherewritten——\"ArumCoveforahussar。\" \"AndhewouldsayAcursebeontheirlaurels。 AndanonWasJulioforgottenandhisline- Nowonderforthisfrenziedtaleofmine。\" How?asksAytoun,norhasthegrammaticalenigmayetbeenunriddled。 \"Oh!hewasweariedofthispassingscene! ButlovednotDeath;hispurposewasbetweenLifeandthegrave;anditwouldvibratethereLikeawildbirdthatfloatedfarandfairBetwixtthesunandsea!\" So\"hebecamemonk,\"andwassorryhehaddoneso,especiallywhenhemetaprettymaid,\"AndthiswasAgathe,youngAgathe,Amotherlessfairgirl,\" whosefatherwasakindofDombey,for\"WhenshesmiledHebadenofather\'swelcometothechild,Buteventoldhiswish,andwill\'ditdone,Forhertobesad-hearted,andanun!\" Soshe\"tookthedrearyveil。\" TheymetlikeablightedIsabellaandLorenzo: \"TheymetmanyatimeInthelonechapelsaftervesperchime,Theymetinloveandfear。\" Then,oneday,\"Hehearditsaid: PoorJulio,thyAgatheisdead。\" Shedied\"LiketoastarwithinthetwilighthoursOfmorning,andshewasnot!SomehavethoughtTheLadyAbbessgaveheramaddraught。\" HereMr。Aytoun,withsympathy,writes\"Damnher!\"(theLadyAbbess,thatis)andsuggeststhatthoughtmustberead\"thaft。\" Through\"thearrasofthegloom\"(arrasisgood),thepalebreezesaremoaning,andJulioiswanasstarsunseenforpaleness。 However,heliftsthetombstone\"asitwerelightsomeasasummergladness。\"\"Asummergladness,\"remarksMr。Aytoun,\"maypossiblyweighabouthalf-an-ounce。\"Juliocameonaskull,ahaggardone,inthegrave,andMr。Aytounkindlydesignsaskeleton,ringingabell,andcrying\"Dustho!\" Nowgo,andgiveyourpoemstoyourfriends! FinallyJuliounburiesAgathe:- \"Thoumustgo,Mysweetbetrothed,withme,butnotbelow,Wherethereisdarkness,dream,andsolitude,Butwhereislight,andlife,andonetobroodAbovethee,tillthouwakest。Ha,IfearThouwiltnotwakeforever,sleepinghere,Wheretherearenonebutthewindstovisitthee。 AndConventfathers,andachoristryOfsisterssayingHush!ButIwillsingRaresongstothypurespirit,wanderingDownonthedewstohearme;IwilltuneTheinstrumentoftheetherealmoon,Andallthechoirofstars,toriseandfallInharmonyandbeautymusical。\" Isthisnotmelodiousmadness,andisthispictureofthedistraughtpriest,settingforthtosailtheseaswithhisdeadlady,notaninventionthatNanteuilmighthaveillustrated,andtheclanofBousingotsapproved? TheSecondChimeraopensnobly:- \"Acurse!acurse!{8}thebeautifulpalewingOfasea-birdwaswornwithwandering,And,onasunnyrockbesidetheshore,Itstood,thegoldenwatersgazingo\'er; AndtheywerenearingabrownamberflowOfweeds,thatglitteredgloriouslybelow!\" JulioappearswithAgatheinhisarms,andwhatensuesisexcellentofitskind:- \"Hedroptuponarock,andbyhimplaced,Overabedofsea-pinksgrowingwaste,Thesilentladye,andhemutter\'dwild,Strangewordsaboutamotherandnochild。 \"AndIshallwedthee,Agathe!althoughOursbenoGod-blestbridal——evenso!\" Andfromthesandhetookasilvershell,ThathadbeenwastedbythefallandswellOfmanyamoon-bornetideintoaring- Arude,rudering;itwasasnow-whitething,WherealonehermitlimpetsleptanddiedInagesfaraway。\'Thouartabride,SweetAgathe!Wakeup;wemustnotlinger!\' Hepress\'dtheringuponherchillyfinger,Andtothesea-birdonitssunnystoneShouted,\'PalepriestthatliestallaloneUponthyoceanaltar,rise,awayToourgladbridal!\'anditswingsofgrayAlllazilyitspread,andhover\'dbyWithawildshriek——amelancholycry! Then,swoopingslowlyo\'ertheheavingbreastOftheblueocean,vanishedinthewest。\" Juliosangamadsongofamadpriesttoadeadmaid:…… \"Arosaryofstars,love!aprayerasweglide,Andawhisperonthewind,andamurmuronthetide,Andwe\'llsayafairadieutotheflowersthatareseen,Withshellsofsilversowninradiancybetween。 \"Arosaryofstars,love!thepuresttheyshallbe,Likespiritsofpalepearlsinthebosomofthesea; Nowhelpthee,{9}VirginMother,withablessingaswego,Uponthelaughingwatersthatarewanderingbelow。\" OnecanreadilybelievethatPoeadmiredthismusicalsadsong,if,indeed,heeversawthepoem。 Onemaygivetoomanyextracts,andthereisscantroomfortheextraordinarywitcheryofthemidnightseaandsky,wherethedeadandthedistraughtdriftwandering,\"Andthegreatocean,liketheholyhall,WheresleptaSeraphhostmaritimal,Wasgorgeouswithwingsofdiamond\"- itwasasea\"Ofradiantandmoon-breastedemerald。\" Therefollowsanothersong- \"\'Tislighttolovetheeliving,girl,whenhopeisfullandfair,Inthespringtideofthybeauty,whenthereisnosorrowthereNosorrowonthybrow,andnoshadowonthyheart,When,likeafloatingsea-bird,brightandbeautifulthouart…… \"Butwhenthebrowisblighted,likeastaratmorningtideAndfadedisthecrimsonblushuponthecheekbeside,Itistoloveasseldomlovethebrightestandthebest,Whenourlovelieslikeadewupontheonethatisatrest。\" Weoughttodistrustourownadmirationofwhatisrare,odd,noveltous,foundbyusinasense,andespeciallyonemustdistrustone\'slikingfortheversesofaTweedsideangler,ofapoetwhoseforebearslieinthegreenkirkyardofYarrow。But,allowingforallthis,Icannotbutthinktheseverymusical,accomplished,and,intheirplace,appropriateverses,tohavebeenwrittenbyaboyoftwenty。Norisitacommonimagination,thoughbusyinthisvulgarfieldofhorrors,thatliftsthepallidbridetolookuponthemirrorofthesea- \"Andbidshergazeintothestartledsea,Andsays,\'Thineimage,frometernity,Hathcometomeetthee,ladye!\'andanonHebadethecoldcorsekisstheshadowyoneThatshookamidthewaters。\" Thepictureofthemadnessofthirst,alliedtothediseaseofthebrain,isextremelypowerful,thedeliriousmonktellsthesaltseawaves\"Thatyehavepower,andpassion,andasoundAsoftheflyingofanangelroundThemightyworld;thatyeareonewithtime!\" Here,Ican\'tbutthink,isimagination。 Mr。Aytoun,however,notednoneofthosepassages,northatwhere,intempestandthunder,ashipwreckedsailorswimstothestrangeboat,seestheLivingLoveandtheDead,andfallsbackintothetroughofthewave。ButeventhefriendlypencilofBonGaultierapprovesthepassagewhereanislerisesabovethesea,andtheboatislightlystrandedontheshoreofpureandsilvershells。 Thehorrorsofcorruption,intheThirdChimera,maybeleftunquoted,Aytounparodies- \"Thechalk,thechalk,thecheese,thecheese,thecheeses,Andstraightwaydroppedhedownuponhiskneeses。\" Juliocomesbacktoreason,hatesthedreadfulbride,andfeedsonlimpets,\"bythemass,hefeastethwell!\" Therewasaholyhermitontheisle,\"Iweenlikeotherhermits,sowashe。\" HeisAgathe\'sfather,andhehasretiredtoaneligibleislandwherehemayrepenthiscrueltytohisdaughter。Juliotellshistale,andgoesmadagain。TheapostrophetoLunacywhichfollowsismarked\"Beautiful\"byAytoun,andisinthespiritofCharlesLamb\'sremarkthatmadnesshaspleasuresunknowntothesane。 \"Thouart,thouartalone,Apure,purebeing,buttheGodonhighIswiththeeeverasthougoestby。\" JuliowatchesagainbesidetheDead,tillmorningcomes,bringing\"Amurmurfarandfar,ofthosethatstirredWithinthegreatencampmentofthesea。\" Thetidesweepsthemadandthedeaddowntheshores。\"Heperishedinadream。\"AsfortheHermit,heburiedthem,notknowingwhotheywere,butonalaterdayfoundandrecognisedthegoldencrossofAgathe,\"ForlongagohegavethatblessedcrossTohisfairgirl,andknewtherelicstill。\" SotheHermitdiedofremorse,andonecannotsay,withWalton,\"andIhopethereaderissorry。\" The\"otherpoems\"arevaguememoriesofShelley,oranticipationsofPoe。Oneofthemiscuriouslystyled\"Her,aStatue,\"andcontainsapassagethatremindsusofarubaiyatofOmar\'s,\"ShemightseeAlove-wing\'dSeraphglideingloryby,Strikingthetentofitsmortality。 \"ButthatisbutatentwhereinmayrestASultantotherealmofDeathaddrest; TheSultanrises,andthedarkFerrashStrikes,andpreparesitforanotherguest。\" MostakintoPoeisthe\"HymntoOrion,\" \"Dostthou,inthyvigil,hailArcturusonhischariotpale,Leadinghimwithafieryflight- Overthehollowhillofnight?\" This,then,isahastysketch,andincomplete,ofabookwhich,perhaps,isonlyacuriosity,butwhich,Iventuretothink,gavepromiseofapoet。Whereistheladoftwentywhohaswrittenaswellto-day——nay,whereisthematurepersonofforty?Therewasawindofpoetryabroadin1830,blowingoverthebarricadesofParis,breathingbythesedgesofCam,stirringtheheatheronthehillsofYarrow。Hugo,Mr。Browning,LordTennyson,caughtthebreezeintheirsails,andwereborneadowntheTigrisofromance。 ButthebreaththatstirredthelochwhereTomStoddartlayandmusedinhisboat,soonbecametohimmerelythecurlonthewatersofloneSt。Mary\'sorLochSkene,andhebegancastingoverthegreatuneducatedtroutofahappiertime,forgetfuloftheMuse。 Hewroteanotherpiece,withasonorousanddelightfultitle,\"AjalonoftheWinds。\"Whereis\"AjalonoftheWinds\"?MissStoddartknowsnothingofit,butIfancythatthethrice-loathedBettycouldhavetoldatale。 MALIMCONVIVISQVAMPLACVISSECOQVIS。 Weneednot,perhaps,regretthatMr。Stoddartwithdrewfromthestrugglesandcompetitionsofpoeticliterature。Noveryhighplace,noverygloriouscrown,onefancies,wouldhavebeenhis。 Hiswouldhavebeenanxiety,doubtofself,disappointment,or,ifhesucceeded,thehatred,andenvyings,andlieswhicheventhendoggedthestepsofthevictor。Itwasbettertobequietandgoa-fishing。 \"Sorrow,sorrowspeedawayToourangler\'squietmound,Withtheoldpilgrim,twilightgray,Enterthroughtheholyground; TherehesleepswhoseheartistwinedWithwildstreamandwanderingburn,WooerofthewesternwindWatcheroftheAprilmorn!\" CHAPTERVIII:THECONFESSIONSOFSAINTAUGUSTINE MycopyoftheConfessionsisadarklittlebook,\"asizeuncumbersometothenicesthand,\"intheformatofanElzevir,boundinblackmorocco,andadornedwith\"blind-tooled,\"thatisungilt,skullsandcrossbones。Ithaslostthetitle-pagewiththedate,butretainsthefrontispiece,engravedbyHuret。SaintAugustine,inhismitreandotherepiscopalarray,withaquillinhishand,sitsunderafloodofinspiringsunshine。Thedumpybookhasbeenmuchread,wasatsometimethepropertyofMr。JohnPhilips,andbearsonetouchingmanuscriptnote,ofwhichmorehereafter。Itis,Ipresume,acopyofthetranslationbySirTobyMatthew。TheauthorofthePrefacedeclares,withtruth,thatthetranslator\"hathconsultedsocloselyandearnestlywiththesaintthatheseemethtohavelightedhistorchatthisfire,andtospeakinthebestandmostsignificantEnglish,whatandhowhewouldhavedonehadheunderstoodourlanguage。\" TherecanbenobetterEnglishversionofthisfamousbook,inwhichSaintAugustinetellsthestoryofhiseagerandpassionateyouth——ayouthtossedaboutbythecontendingtidesofLove,humananddivine。Readingitto-day,withamundanecuriosity,wemayhalfregretthespacewhichhegivestotheologicalmetaphysics,andhisbrieftantalisingglimpsesofwhatmostinterestsusnow—— thecommonlifeofmenwhentheChurchwasbecomingmistressoftheworld,whentheoldReligionsweredyingofallegoryandmoralinterpretationsandoccultdreams。But,evenso,SaintAugustine\'sinterestinhimself,intheveryobscureoriginsofeachhumanexistence,inthepsychologyofinfancyandyouth,inschooldisputes,andmagicalpretensions;hisardentaffections,hisexultations,andhisfaults,makehismemoirsimmortalamongtheunveilingsofthespirit。Hehasstudiedbabies,thathemayknowhisdarkbeginnings,andtheseedsofgraceandofevil。\"Then,bydegrees,IbegantofindwhereIwas;andIhadcertaindesirestodeclaremywilltothosebywhomitmightbeexecuted。ButIcouldnotdoit,……thereforewouldIbetossingmyarms,andsendingoutcertaincryes,……andwhentheyobeyedmenot……Iwouldfallintoarage,andthatnotagainstsuchasweremysubjectsorservants,butagainstmyEldersandmybetters,andIwouldrevengemyselfuponthembycrying。\"Hehasobservedthatinfants\"begintolaugh,firstsleeping,andthenshortlywaking;\"acuriousnote,buthedoesnotaskwhereforethesenseofhumour,ortheexpressionofit,comestochildrenfirstintheirslumber。Ofwhatdobabiesdream?Andwhatdothenestedswallowschirruptoeachotherintheirsleep? \"SuchhaveIunderstoodthatsuchinfantsareasIcouldknow,andsuchhaveIbeentoldthatIwasbythemwhobroughtmeup,thougheventheymayratherbeaccountednottoknow,thantoknowthesethings。\"Onethingheknows,\"thateveninfancyissubjecttosin。\"Fromthewombwearetouchedwithevil。\"Myselfehaveseeneandobservedsomelittlechild,whocouldnotspeake;andyethewasallinanenviouskindofwrath,lookingpalewithabittercountenanceuponhisfoster-brother。\"Inanenviouskindofwrath! Isitnotthemotiveofhalfourpolitics,andtoomuchofourcriticism?Suchisman\'sinbornnature,nottobecuredbylawsorreforms,nottobewashedoutofhisveins,though\"bloodbeshedlikerain,andtearslikeamist。\"For\"aninfantcannotendureacompaniontofeedwithhiminafountainofmilkwhichisrichlyaboundingandoverflowing,althoughthatcompanionbewhollydestitute,andcantakenootherfoodbutthat。\"ThisistheOriginalSin,inherited,innate,unacquired;forthisare\"babesspan-long\"tosuffer,asthefamousorinfamouspreacherdeclared。 \"Where,oratwhattime,wasIeverinnocent?\"hecries,andhearsnoanswerfrom\"thedarkbackwardandabysm\"ofthepre-natallife。 ThentheSaintdescribesachild\'slearningtospeak;howheamassesverbaltokensofthings,\"havingtamed,and,asitwere,brokenmymouthtothepronouncingofthem。\"\"AndsoIbegantolaunchoutmoredeeplyintothetempestuoustraffiqueandsocietyofmankind。\"Tempestuousenoughhefoundormadeit——thischildofaPaganfatherandaChristiansaint,Monica,thesaintofMotherhood。Thepastgenerationshad\"chalkedoutcertainlaboriouswaysoflearning,\"and,perhaps,SaintAugustineneverforgavethefloggingpedagogue——theplagosusOrbiliusofhisboyhood。Longbeforehisdayhehadfoundoutthatthesorrowsofchildren,andtheirjoys,arenolessseriousthanthesorrowsofmatureage。\"Isthere,Lord,anymanofsogreatamindthathecanthinklightlyofthoseracks,andhooks,andothertorments,fortheavoidingwhereofmenprayuntoTheewithgreatfearfromoneendoftheworldtotheother,asthathecanmakesportatsuchasdoemostsharplyinflictthesethingsuponthem,asourparentslaughedatthetormentswhichwechildrensusteynedatourmaster\'shands?\"CanwesupposethatMonicalaughed,orwasitonlytheheathenfatherwhoapprovedof\"roughingit?\"\"Beingyetachilde,IbegantobegThyaydeandsuccour;andIdidloosentheknotsofmytongueinprayingThee;andIbegged,beingyetalittleone,withnolittledevotion,thatImightnotbebeatenattheschoole。\"OneisremindedofTomTulliver,whogaveupevenprayingthathemightlearnonepartofhiswork:\"PleasemakeMr——saythatIamnottodomathematics。\" TheSaintadmitsthathelackedneithermemorynorwit,\"buthetookdelightinplaying。\"\"Theplaysandtoysofmenarecalledbusiness,yet,whenchildrenfalluntothem,thesamemenpunishthem。\"Yettheschoolmasterwas\"morefeduponbyrage,\"ifbeateninanylittlequestionoflearning,thantheboy;\"ifinanymatchatBallIhadbeenmaisteredbyoneofmyplayfellows。\"He\"aspiredproudlytobevictoriousinthematcheswhichhemade,\" andIseriouslyregrettosaythathewouldbuyamatch,andpayhisopponenttolosewhenhecouldnotwinfairly。Helikedromancesalso,\"tohavemyneearesscratchedwithlyingfables\"——a\"lazy,idleboy,\"likehimwhodalliedwithRebeccaandRowenaintheholidaysofCharterHouse。 SaintAugustine,likeSirWalterScottattheUniversityofEdinburgh,was\"TheGreekDunce。\"Bothofthesegreatmen,totheirsorrowandloss,absolutelyandtotallydeclinedtolearnGreek。\"ButwhatthereasonwaswhyIhatedtheGreekelanguage,whileIwastaughtit,beingachild,Idonotyetunderstand。\" TheSaintwasfarfrombeingaloneinthatdistaste,andhewhowritesloathedGreeklikepoison——tillhecametoHomer。LatintheSaintloved,except\"whenreading,writing,andcastingofaccountswastaughtinLatin,whichIheldnotforlessepaynefullorpenalthantheveryGreeke。IweptforDido\'sdeath,whomadeherselfeawaywiththesword,\"hedeclares,\"andevenso,thesayingthattwoandtwomakesfourewasanungratefulsonginmineears; whereasthewoodenhorsefullofarmedmen,theburningofTroy,andtheveryGhostofCreusa,wasamostdelightfulspectacleofvanity。\" Inshort,theSaintwasaregularBoy——ahigh-spirited,clever,sportive,andwilfulcreature。Hewasasfondasmostboysofthemythicaltales,\"andforthatIwasaccountedtobeatowardlyboy。\"MeanwhilehedoesnotrecordthatMonicadislikedhislearningthefoolishdearoldheathenfables——\"thatfloodofhell!\" Boyhoodgaveplacetoyouth,and,allowingforthevanityofself- accusation,therecanbelittledoubtthattheyouthofSaintAugustinewasunejeunesseorageuse。\"AndwhatwasthatwhereinI tookdelightbuttoloveandtobebeloved。\"Therewasevermuchsentimentandaffectioninhisamours,buthissoul\"couldnotdistinguishthebeautyofchastlovefromthemuddydarknessoflust。Streamsofthemdidconfusedlyboylinme\"——inhisAfricanveins。\"Witharestlesskindofweariness\"hepursuedthatOtherSelfofthePlatonicdream,neglectingtheLoveofGod: \"Oh,howlateartthoucome,OmyJoy!\" Thecourseofhiseducation——fortheBar,asweshouldsay——carriedhimfromhometoCarthage,whereherapidlyforgotthepurecounselsofhismother\"asoldwife\'sconsailes。\"\"Andwedelightedindoingill,notonlyforthepleasureofthefact,butevenfortheaffectionofprayse。\"EvenMonica,itseems,justifiedthesaying: \"EverywomanisatheartaRake。\" Marriagewouldhavebeenhismaking,SaintAugustinesays,\"butshedesirednoteventhatsoverymuch,lestthecloggsofawifemighthavehinderedherhopesofme……Inthemeantimethereinswereloosedtomebeyondreason。\"Yetthesinwhichheregretsmostbitterlywasnothingmoredreadfulthantherobberyofanorchard! Pearshehadinplenty,nonethelesshewent,withabandofroisterers,andpillagedanotherman\'speartree。\"Ilovedthesin,notthatwhichIobtainedbythesame,butIlovedthesinitself。\"Therelaythestingofit!Theywerenotevenunusuallyexcellentpears。\"APearetreetherwas,neereourvineyard,heavyloadenwithfruite,whichtemptednotgreatlyeitherthesightortast。Totheshakingandrobbingthereof,certainemostwickedyouthes(whereofIwasone)wentlateatnight。Wecarriedawayhugeburthensoffruitfromthence,notforourowneeating,buttobecastbeforethehoggs。\" Oh,moonlitnightofAfrica,andorchardbythesewildseabankswhereonceDidostood;oh,laughterofboysamongtheshakenleaves,andsoundoffallingfruit;howdoyoulivealoneoutofsomanynightsthatnomanremembers?ForCarthageisdestroyed,indeed,andforsakenofthesea,yetthatonehourofsummeristobeunforgottenwhilemanhasmemoryofthestoryofhispast。 Nothingofthis,tobesure,isinthemindoftheSaint,butalongremorseforthisgreatsin,whichheearnestlyanalyses。Norishesopenitentbutthatheisclear-sighted,andfindsthespringofhismis-doingintheSenseofHumour!\"Itwasadelightandlaughterwhichtickledus,evenattheveryhart,tofindthatwewereuponthepointofdeceivingthemwhofearednosuchthingfromus,andwho,iftheyhadknownit,wouldearnestlyhaveprocuredthecontrary。\" SaintAugustineadmitsthathelivedwithafastset,aspeoplesaynow——\"theDepravers\"or\"Destroyers\";thoughhelovedthemlittle,\"whoseactionsIeverdidabhor,thatis,theirDestructionofothers,amongstwhomIyetlivedwithakindofshamelessbashfulness。\"Inshort,the\"Hell-FireClub\"ofthatdaynumberedareluctantSaintamongitsmembers!ItwasnoChristiangospel,buttheHortensiusofCicerowhichwonhimfromthisperiloussociety。\"Italteredmyaffection,andmademeaddressmyprayerstoThee,OLord,andgavemeotherdesiresandpurposesthanIhadbefore。Allvainhopesdidinstantlygrowbaseinmyneeyes,andI did,withanincredibleheatofhart,aspiretowardstheImmortalityofWisdom。\"Thusitwasreally\"SaintTully,\"andnotthemysticcallofTolle!Lege!that\"converted\"Augustine,divertingthecurrentofhislifeintothechannelofRighteousness。\"HowwasIkindledthen,oh,myGod,withadesiretoflyfromearthlythingstowardsThee。\" TherenowremainedonlythechoiceofaRoad。SaintAugustinedateshisownconversionfromthedayofhisturningtothestraitChristianorthodoxy。EventhePlatonicwritings,hadheknownGreek,wouldnothavesatisfiedhisdesire。\"ForwherewasthatCharitythatbuildethuponthefoundationofHumility,whichisChristJesus?……Thesepages\"(ofthePlatonists)\"carriednotinthemthiscountenanceofpiety——thetearsofconfession,andthatsacrificeofThinewhichisanafflictedspirit,acontriteandhumbledheart,thesalvationofThypeople,theSpouse,theCity,thepledgeofThyHolySpirit,theCupofourRedemption。Nomandoththerethusexpresshimself。ShallnotmysoulbesubjecttoGod,forofHimismysalvation?ForHeismyGod,andmysalvation,myprotectour;Ishallneverbemoved。Nomandoththereoncecallandsaytohim:\'Comeuntomeallyouthatlabour。\'\" TheheathendoctorshadnotthegracewhichSaintAugustineinstinctivelyknewhelacked——thegraceofHumility,northeComfortthatisnotfromwithinbutfromwithout。Totheseheaspired;letusfollowhimonthepathbywhichhecamewithintheirinfluence;butletusnotforgetthattheguideonthewaytotheCitywaskind,clever,wordy,vainoldMarcusTulliusCicero。 ItistotheCitythatallourfacesshouldbeset,ifweknewwhatbelongstoourpeace;thitherwecastfond,hopeless,backwardglances,evenifwebeofthosewhomTertulliancalls\"SaintSatan\'sPenitents。\"Here,inAugustine,wemeetamanwhofoundthepath——oneofthefewwhohavefoundit,ofthefewwhohavewonthatLovewhichisouronlyrest。Itmaybeworthwhiletofollowhimtothejourney\'send。 ThetreatiseofCicero,then,inflamedAugustine\"tothelovingandseekingandfindingandholdingandinseparablyembracingofwisdomitself,wheresoeveritwas。\"Yet,whenhelookedforwisdomintheChristianScriptures,alltheliteraryman,therhetoricianinhim,wasrepelledbythesimplicityofthestyle。WithoutgoingfurtherthanMr。Pater\'sbook,\"Marius,theEpicurean,\"andhisaccountofApuleius,anEnglishreadermaylearnwhatkindofstylealearnedAfricanofthatdatefoundnottoosimple。ButCicero,ratherthanApuleius,wasAugustine\'sideal;thatverboseandsonorouseloquencecaptivatedhim,asitdidtheearlyscholarswhenlearningrevived。AugustinehaddalliedalittlewiththesectoftheManichees,whichappearstohavegrievedhismothermorethanhiswildlife。 Butshewascomfortedbyavision,whenshefoundherselfinawood,andmet\"agloriousyoungman,\"whoinformedherthat\"whereshewasthereshouldhersonbealso。\"CuriousitistothinkthatthisverysemblanceofagloriousyoungmanhauntsthemagicaldreamsofheathenRedIndians,advisingthemwheretheyshallfindgame,andwasbeheldinsuchecstasiesbyJohnTanner,awhitemanwholivedwiththeIndians,andadoptedtheirreligion。TheGreekswouldhavecalledthisappearanceHermes,eveninthisguiseOdysseusmethimintheoakwoodofCirce\'sIsle。ButAugustinewasnotyetinhismother\'sfaith;hestilltaughtandstudiedrhetoric,contendingforitsprizes,butdecliningtobeaidedbyacertainwizardofhisacquaintance。Hehadenteredasacompetitorfora\"Tragicallpoeme,\"butwastoosportsmanliketoseekvictorybyartnecromantic。YethefollowedafterAstrologers,becausetheyusednosacrifices,anddidnotpretendtoconsultspirits。 EventhederisionofhisdearfriendNebridiuscouldnotthenmovehimfromthoseabsurdspeculations。Hisfrienddied,and\"hiswholeheartwasdarkened;\"\"mineeyeswouldbelookingforhiminallplaces,buttheyfoundhimnot,andIhatedallthingsbecausetheytoldmenonewsofhim。\"Hefellintoanextremewearinessoflife,andnolessfearofdeath。Helivedbutbyhalves;havinglostdimidiumanimaesuae,andyetdreadeddeath,\"LesthemightchancetohavewholydyedwhomeIextremelyloved。\"SohereturnedtoCarthageforchange,andsoughtpleasureinotherfriendships; but\"BlessedisthemanthatlovesTheeandhisfriendinTheeandhisenemyforThee。Forheonlyneverlosethadearfriendtowhomallmenaredear,forHissake,whoisneverlost。\" Here,onthemarginoftheoldbook,besidethesethoughts,sobeautifulifsohelpless,likeallwords,toconsole,somereaderlongdeadhaswritten:- \"Prayforyourpoorservant,J。M。\" Andagain,\"Prayforyourpoorfriend。\" Doubtless,someCatholicreader,himselfbereaved,isimploringtheprayersofadearfrienddead;andsureweneedtheirpetitionsmorethantheyneedours,whohaveleftthisworldoftemptation,andareatpeace。 AfterthislossSaintAugustinewenttoRome,hisambitionurginghim,perhaps,butmorehisdisgustwiththeviolentandriotouslifeofstudentsinCarthage。Toleavehismotherwasdifficult,but\"Ilyedtomymother,yea,suchamother,andsoescapedfromher。\"Andnowhehadadangeroussickness,andafterwardsbetookhimselftoconversewiththeorthodox,forexampleatMilanwithSaintAmbrose。InMilanhismotherwouldwillinglyhavecontinuedintheAfricanritual——aPagansurvival——carryingwineandfoodtothegravesofthedead;butthisSaintAmbroseforbade,andsheobeyedhimforhim\"shedidextremelyaffectfortheregardofmyspirituallgood。\" FromMilanhisfriendAlipiusprecededhimtoRome,andthere\"wasdamnablydelighted\"withthegladiatorialcombats,being\"madedrunkwithadelightinblood。\"AugustinefollowedhimtoRome,andtherelostthegirlofhisheart,\"sothatmyheartwaswounded,asthattheveryblooddidfollow。\"Theladyhadmadeavowofeternalchastity,\"havingleftmewithasonbyher。\"Buthefelltoanewloveastheoldonewasdeparted,andyettheancientwoundpainedhimstill\"afteramoredesperateanddoggedmanner。\" Haeretletalisarundo! Bythesepassionshisconversionwasdelayed,thecarnalandspiritualwillsfightingagainsteachotherwithinhim。\"Givemechastityandcontinency,OLord,\"hewouldpray,\"butdonotgiveityet,\"andperhapsthisisthefrankestoftheconfessionsofSaintAugustine。Inthemidstofthiswarofthespiritandtheflesh,\"BeholdIheardavoyce,asifithadbeenofsomeboyorgirlfromsomehousenotfarreoff,utteringandoftenrepeatingthesewordsinakindofsingingvoice,\"Tolle,Lege;Tolle,Lege,Takeupandread,takeupandread。\" SohetookupaTestament,and,openingitatrandom,afterthemannerofhisVirgilianlots,read:- \"Notinsurfeitingandwantonness,notincausalityanduncleanness,\"withwhatfollows。\"NeitherwouldIreadanyfurther,neitherwasthereanycausewhyIshould。\"SaintAugustinedoesnot,perhaps,meanustounderstand(ashistranslatordoes),thathewas\"miraculouslycalled。\"Heknewwhatwasrightperfectlywellbefore;thetextonlyclinchedaresolvewhichhehasfounditveryhardtomake。Perhapstherewasatrifleofsuperstitioninthematter。Weneverknowhowsuperstitiousweare。Atallevents,henceforth\"Ineitherdesiredawife,norhadIanyambitiouscareofanyworldlything。\"Hetoldhismother,andMonicarejoiced,believingthatnowherprayerswereanswered。 SuchisthestoryoftheconversionofSaintAugustine。Itwasthematuringofanoldpurpose,andlongdeferred。MuchstrangerstoriesaretoldofBunyanandColonelGardiner。Hegaveuprhetoric;anothermanwasengaged\"tosellwords\"tothestudentsofMilan。Beingnowconverted,theSaintbecomeslessinteresting,exceptforhisaccountofhismother\'sdeath,andofthatecstaticconversetheyheld\"sheandIalone,leaningagainstawindow,whichhadaprospectuponthegardenofourlodgingatOstia。\" They\"Cameonthatwhichis,andheardThevastpulsationsoftheworld。\" \"Andwhilestwethusspake,andpantedtowardsthedivine,wegrewabletotakealittletastethereof,withthewholestrifeofourhearts,andwesighedprofoundly,andleftthere,confined,theverytopandflowerofoursoulsandspirits;andwereturnedtothenoyseoflanguageagain,wherewordsarebegunandended。\" ThenMonicafellsicktodeath,andthoughshehadeverwishedtoliebesideherhusbandinAfrica,shesaid:\"LaythisBodywhereyouwill。Letnotanycareofitdisquietyou;onlythisI entreat,thatyouwillremembermeatthealtaroftheLord,wheresoeveryoube。\"\"Butupontheninthdayofhersickness,inthesix-and-fiftiethyearofherage,andthethree-and-thirtiethofmine,thatreligiousandpioussoulwasdischargedfromtheprisonofherbody。\" ThegriefofAugustinewasnotlesskeen,itseems,thanithadbeenatthedeathofhisfriend。Buthecouldrememberhow\"sherelatedwithgreatdearnessofaffection,howsheneverheardanyharshorunkindwordtobedartedoutofmymouthagainsther。\" Andtothisconsolationwasaddedwhoknowswhatofconfidenceandtendernessofcertainhope,orakindofdeadness,perhaps,thatmaylightenthepainofaheartveryoftentriedandinuredtoeverypain。Foritiscertainthat\"thisgreenwound\"wasgreenandgrievousforabriefertimethantheagonyofhisearliersorrows。Hehimself,soearnestinanalysinghisownemotions,isperplexedbytheshortdateofhistears,andhissharpestgrief: \"Lethimreaditwhowill,andinterpretitasitpleasethhim。\" So,withthedeathofMonica,wemayleaveSaintAugustine。Themosthumanofbooks,the\"Confessions,\"nowstraysintotheology。 Ofallbooksthatwhichitmostoddlyresembles,tomyfancyatleast,isthepoemsofCatullus。Thepassionandthetenderhearttheyhaveincommon,andincommonthewaroffleshandspirit;theshamefulinappeasableloveofLesbia,oroftheworldlylife;sodelightfulanddeartothepoetandtothesaint,sodespisedinothermoodsconqueredandvictoriousagain,amongthebattlesofthewarinourmembers。TheverywordsinwhichtheVeroneseandtheBishopofHippodescribedthepleasureandgaietyofanearlyfriendshiparealmostthesame,andwefeelthat,bornfourhundredyearslater,theloverofLesbia,thesingerofSirmiomightactuallyhavefoundpeaceinreligion,andexchangedtheearthlyfortheheavenlylove。 CHAPTERIX:SMOLLETT ThegreatEnglishnovelistsoftheeighteenthcenturyturnedthecourseofEnglishLiteratureoutofitsolderchannel。HerstreamshaddescendedfromthedoublepeaksofParnassustoirrigatetheenamelledfieldsandelegantparterresofpoetryandthedrama,asthecriticsoftheperiodmighthavesaid。ButRichardson,Fielding,Smollett,andSterne,divertedthewaters,frompoetryandplays,intotheregionofthenovel,whithertheyhavebroughtdownacopiousalluvialdeposit。ModernauthorsdolittlebuttillthisfertileDelta:thedramaisnowinthedesert,poetryisadrug,andfictionisliterature。Amongthewriterswhomadethisrevolution,Smollettis,personally,theleastwellknowntotheworld,despitethegreatpartwhichautobiographyandconfessionsplayinhiswork。Heisalwaystalkingabouthimself,andintroducinghisownexperiences。Butthereislittleevidencefromwithout;hisextantcorrespondenceisscanty;hewasnotinDr。 Johnson\'scircle,muchlesswasheinthatofHoraceWalpole。Hewasnotapopularman,andprobablyhehaslongceasedtobeapopularauthor。About1780thevendorsofchildren\'sbooksissuedabridgmentsof\"TomJones\"and\"Pamela,\"\"Clarissa\"and\"JosephAndrews,\"adaptedtotheneedsofinfantminds。Itwasacuriousenterprise,certainly,butthebooksellersdonotseemtohaveproduced\"EveryBoy\'sRoderickRandom,\"or\"PeregrinePicklefortheYoung。\"Smollett,inshort,islessknownthanFieldingandSterne,evenThackeraysaysbutawordabouthim,inthe\"EnglishHumorists,\"andhehasnoplaceintheseriesof\"EnglishMenofLetters。\" WhatweknowofSmollettrevealsathoroughlytypicalScotofhisperiod;aScotofthespeciesabsolutelyopposedtoSirPertinaxMacsycophant,andratherakintothespeciesofRobertBurns。 \"Ratherakin,\"wemaysay,forSmollett,likeBurns,wasahumorist,andinhishumourfarfromdainty;hewasapersonalsatirist,andasatiristfarfromchivalrous。LikeBurns,too,hewasapoetofindependence;likeBurns,andevenmorethanBurns,inatimeofpatronagehewasrecalcitrantagainstpatrons。But,unlikeBurns,hewasfarouchetoanextremedegree;and,unlikeBurns,hecarriedveryfarhisprejudicesabouthis\"gentrice,\"hisgentlebirth。Hereinheisattheoppositepolefromthegreatpeasantpoet。 Twopotentcharacteristicsofhiscountrywereatwarwithinhim。 Therewas,first,thebeliefin\"gentrice,\"inanaturaldifferenceofkindbetweenmenofcoatarmourandmenwithoutit。ThusRoderickRandom,thestarvingcadetofalineofsmalllairds,acceptsthealmostincredibleself-denialanddevotionofStrapasmerelyhisdue。PrinceCharlescouldnothavetakenthedevotionofHenryGoring,orofNeilMacEachain,moreentirelyasamatterofcourse,involvingnoconsiderationinreturn,thanRodericktooktheunparalleledself-sacrificeofhisbarberfriendandschool- mate。Scotthasremarkedonthiscontemptuousandungratefulselfishness,andhascontrasteditwiththerelationsofTomJonesandPartridge。Ofcourse,itisnottobeassumedthatSmollettwouldhavebehavedlikeRoderick,when,\"findingthefireinmyapartmentalmostextinguished,IventedmyfuryuponpoorStrap,whoseearIpinchedwithsuchviolencethatheroaredhideouslywithpain……\"TobesureRoderickpresently\"feltunspeakableremorse……foamedatthemouth,andkickedthechairsabouttheroom。\"NowStraphadrescuedRoderickfromstarvation,hadbestowedonhimhundredsofpounds,andhadcarriedhisbaggage,anddinedonhisleavings。ButStrapwasnotgentlyborn! Smollettwouldnot,probably,haveactedthus,buthedidnotconsidersuchconductathingoutofnature。 OntheothersidewasSmollett\'sScottishspiritofindependence。 Asearlyas1515,JamesIngles,chaplainofMargaretTudor,wrotetoAdamWilliamson,\"Youknowtheuseofthiscountry……Themanhathmorewordsthanthemaster,andwillnotbecontentexceptheknowthemaster\'scounsel。Thereisnoorderamongus。\"Straphadtheinstinctoffeudalloyaltytoadescendantofalaird。ButSmollettboaststhat,beingatthetimeabouttwenty,andhavingburdenedanoblemanwithhisimpossibleplay,\"TheRegicide,\" \"resolvedtopunishhisbarbarousindifference,andactuallydiscardedmyPatron。\"HEwasnotgivento\"booing\"(inthesenseofbowing),buthad,ofallknownScots,themost\"cantyconceito\' himsel\'。\"Thesequalities,withaviolenceoftemperwhichtooktheformofbeatingpeoplewhenonhistravels,cannothavemadeSmollettapopularcharacter。Heknewhisfaults,asheshowsinthededicationof\"Ferdinand,CountFathom,\"tohimself。\"Ihaveknownyoutrifling,superficial,andobstinateindispute;meanlyjealousandawkwardlyreserved;rashandhaughtyinyourresentment;andcoarseandlowlyinyourconnections。\" Hecould,itistrue,onoccasion,forgive(evenwherehehadnotbeenwronged),andcouldcompensate,inmildermoods,forthefierceattacksmadeinhourswhenhewas\"meanlyjealous。\"Yet,inearlylifeatleast,heregardedhisownRoderickRandomas\"modestandmeritorious,\"strugglingnoblywiththedifficultieswhichbeseta\"friendlessorphan,\"especiallyfromthe\"selfishness,envy,malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind。\"Roderickhimselfis,infact,theincarnationofthebasestselfishness。Inoneofhisadventuresheisguiltyofthatextremeinfamywhichthed\'Artagnanof\"TheThreeMusketeers\"andofthe\"Memoirs\" committed,andforwhichthed\'ArtagnanofLeVicomtedeBragelonnetookshametohimself。Whileengagedinavirtuouspassion,Rodericknotonlybehaveslikeavulgardebauchee,butpursuesthemeanestartsofthefortune-hunterwhoisreadytomarryanywomanforhermoney。Suchisthemodestandmeritoriousorphan,andmankindnowcarriesits\"baseindifference\"sofar,thatSmollett\'sbiographer,Mr。Hannay,says,\"ifRoderickhadbeenhanged,I,formypart,shouldhaveheardthetidingsunmoved……Smollettobviouslydiedwithoutrealisinghownearlythehero,whowasinsomesortaportraitofhimself,cametobeingaruffian。\" Dr。Carlyle,in1758,beinginLondon,foundSmollett\"muchofahumorist,andnottobeputoutofhisway。\"A\"humorist,\"here,meansanoverbearinglyeccentricperson,suchasSmollett,wholivedmuchinasocietyofliterarydependants,wasapttobecome。 ButDr。Carlylealsofoundthat,thoughSmollett\"describedsowellthecharactersofruffiansandprofligates,\"hedidnotresemblethem。Dr。Robertson,thehistorian,\"expressedgreatsurpriseathispolishedandagreeablemanners,andthegreaturbanityofhisconversation。\"Hewashandsomeinperson,ashisportraitshows,buthis\"nervoussystemwasexceedinglyirritableandsubjecttopassion,\"ashesaysintheLatinaccountofhishealthwhich,in1763,hedrewupforthephysicianatMontpellier。Though,whenhechose,hecouldbehavelikeamanofbreeding,andthoughheundeniablyhadawarmheartforhiswifeanddaughter,hedidnotalwayschoosetobehavewell。ExceptDr。Moore,hisbiographer,heseemstohavehadfewrealfriendsduringmostofhiscareer。 Astopersonswhomhechosetoregardashisenemies,hewasbeyondmeasurerancorousanddangerous。Fromhisfirstpatron,LordLyttelton,tohislast,hepursuedthemwithunscrupulousanimosity。Ifhedidnotmeanactuallytodrawportraitsofhisgrandfather,hiscousins,hisschool-master,andtheapothecarywhosegallipotsheattended——in\"RoderickRandom,\"——yethelefttheoriginalswhosuggestedhischaractersinaveryawkwardsituation。 Forassuredlyhedidentertainaspiteagainsthisgrandfather: andasmanyoftheincidentsin\"RoderickRandom\"wereautobiographical,thepublicreadilyinferredthatotherswerefoundedonfactTheoutlinesofSmollett\'scareerarefamiliar,thoughgapsinourknowledgeoccur。Perhapstheymaypartlybefilledupbytheaidofpassagesinhisnovels,plays,andpoems:inthese,atallevents,hedescribesconditionsandsituationsthroughwhichhehimselfmay,ormust,havepassed。 Bornin1721,hewasayoungersonofArchibald,ayoungersonofSirJamesSmollettofBonhill,ahouseonthenowpollutedLeven,betweenLochLomondandtheestuaryoftheClyde。Smollett\'sfathermadeanimprudentmarriage:thegrandfatherprovidedasmall,butcompetentprovisionforhimandhisfamily,duringhisownlife。Thefather,Archibald,died;thegrandfatherleftnothingtothemotherofTobiasandherchildren,buttheywereassistedwithscrimpdecencybytheheirs。HencetheattacksonthegrandfatherandcousinsofRoderickRandom:but,later,Smollettreturnedtokinderfeelings。 InsomewaysTobiasresembledhisoldgrandsire。About1710thatgentlemanwroteaMemoirofhisownlife。HencewelearnthatHE,inchildhood,likeRoderickRandom,wasregardedas\"aclogandburden,\"andwasneglectedbyhisfather,ill-usedbyhisstep- mother。ThusTobiashadnotonlyhisownearlypovertytoresent,buthadahereditarygrudgeagainstfortune,and\"thebaseindifferenceofmankind。\"Theoldgentlemanwaslodged\"withveryhardandpenuriouspeople,\"atGlasgowUniversity。Heroseintheworld,andwasagoodPresbyterianWhig,but\"hadnoliberty\"tohelptoforfeitJamesII。\"Thepuirchild,hisson\"(JamesIII。 andVIII。),\"ifhewasreallysuch,wasinnocent,anditwerehardtodoanythingthatwouldtouchthesonforthefather\'sfault。\" Theoldgentleman,therefore,thoughaMemberofParliament,evadedattendingthefirstParliamentaftertheUnion:\"Ihadnofreedomtodoit,becauseIunderstoodthatthegreatbusinesstobeagitatedthereinwastomakelawsforabjuringthePretender…… whichIcouldnotgoinwith,beingalwaysofopinionthatitwashardtoimposeoathsonpeoplewhohadnotfreedomtotakethem。\" Thiswasuncommonlyliberalconduct,inaWhig,andourSmollett,thoughnoJacobite,wasindistinctandcourageoussympathywithJacobiteScotland。Indeed,hewasaspatrioticasBurns,orashisownLismahago。Theseweretimes,wemustremember,inwhichScottishpatriotismwasmorethanamerehistoricalsentiment。 Scotlandwasinconceivablypoor,andScots,inEngland,werethereforeridiculous。Thecountryhad,sofar,gainedverylittlebytheUnion,andtheUnionwasdetestedevenbyScottishWhigEarls。ItisrecordedbyMoorethat,whileattheDumbartonGrammarSchool,Smollettwrote\"versestothememoryofWallace,ofwhomhebecameanearlyadmirer,\"havingread\"BlindHarry\'stranslationoftheLatinpoemsofJohnBlair,\"chaplaintothathero。ThereprobablyneverwereanysuchLatinpoems,butSmollettbeganwiththesamehero-worshipasBurns。HehadtheattachmentofaScottohisnativestream,theLeven,whichlaterhewastocelebrate。NowifSmolletthadcreditedRoderickRandomwiththeserural,poetical,andpatriotictastes,hisherowouldhavebeenmuchmorehumanandamiable。TherewasmuchgoodinSmollettwhichisabsentinRandom。Butforsomereason,probablybecauseScotlandwasunpopularaftertheForty-Five,Smollettmerelydescribesthewoes,illusage,andretaliationsofRoderick。ThathesufferedasRandomdidistothelastdegreeimprobable。HehadafairknowledgeofLatin,andwasnotdestituteofGreek,whilehismaster,aMr。Love,boreagoodcharacterbothforhumanityandscholarship。HemusthavestudiedtheclassicsatGlasgowUniversity,wherehewasapprenticedtoMr。Gordon,asurgeon。