They proceed to the Hague; from whence they depart for Amsterdam, where they see a Dutch Tragedy — Visit the Music-house, in which Peregrine quarrels with the Captain of a Man-of-War — They pass through Haerlem, in their way to Leyden — Return to Rotterdam, where the Company separates, and our Hero, with his Attendants, arrive in safety at Harwich.
Being joined by their fellow-travellers in the morning, they made a tour to all the remarkable1 places in this celebrated2 village: saw the foundry, the Stadthouse, the Spinhuys, Vauxhall, and Count Bentinck’s gardens; and in the evening went to the French comedy, which was directed by a noted3 harlequin, who had found means to flatter the Dutch taste so effectually, that they extolled4 him as the greatest actor that ever appeared in the province of Holland. This famous company did not represent regular theatrical5 pieces, but only a sort of impromptus6, in which this noted player always performed the greatest part of the entertainment. Among other sallies of wit that escaped him, there was one circumstance so remarkably7 adapted to the disposition8 and genius of his audience, that it were a pity to pass it over in silence. A windmill being exhibited on the scene, harlequin, after having surveyed it with curiosity and admiration9, asks one of the millers10 the use of that machine; and being told that it was a windmill, observes, with some concern, that as there was not the least breath of wind, he could not have the pleasure of seeing it turn round. Urged by this consideration, he puts himself into the attitude of a person wrapt in profound meditation12; and, having continued a few seconds in this posture13, runs to the miller11 with great eagerness and joy, and, telling him that he had found an expedient14 to make his mill work; very fairly unbuttons his breeches. Then presenting his posteriors to the sails of the machine, certain explosions are immediately heard, and the arms of the mill begin to turn round, to the infinite satisfaction of the spectators, who approve the joke with loud peals15 of applause.
Our travellers stayed a few days at the Hague, during which the young gentleman waited on the British ambassador, to whom he was recommended by his excellency at Paris, and lost about thirty guineas at billiards16 to a French adventurer, who decoyed him into the snare17 by keeping up his game. Then they departed in a post-waggon for Amsterdam, being provided with letters of introduction to an English merchant residing in that city, under whose auspices18 they visited everything worth seeing, and. among other excursions, went to see a Dutch tragedy acted, an entertainment which, of all others, had the strangest effect upon the organs of our hero; the dress of their chief personages was so antic, their manner so awkwardly absurd, and their language so ridiculously unfit for conveying the sentiment of love and honour, that Peregrine’s nerves were diuretically affected19 with the complicated absurdity20, and he was compelled to withdraw twenty times before the catastrophe21 of the piece.
The subject of this performance was the famous story of Scipio’s continence and virtue22, in restoring the fair captive to her lover. The young Roman hero was represented by a broadfaced Batavian, in a burgomaster’s gown and a fur cap, sitting smoking his pipe at a table furnished with a can of beer, a drinking glass, and a plate of tobacco. The lady was such a person as Scipio might well be supposed to give away, without any great effort of generosity23; and indeed the Celtiberian prince seemed to be of that opinion; for, upon receiving her from the hand of the victor, he discovered none of those transports of gratitude24 and joy which Livy describes in recounting this event. The Dutch Scipio, however, was complaisant25 enough in his way; for he desired her to sit at his right hand, by the appellation26 of Ya frow, and with his own fingers filling a clean pipe, presented it to Mynheer Allucio, the lover. The rest of the economy of the piece was in the same taste; which was so agreeable to the audience, that they seemed to have shaken off their natural phlegm, in order to applaud the performance.
From the play our company adjourned27 to the house of their friend, where they spent the evening; and the conversation turning upon poetry, a Dutchman who was present, and understood the English language, having listened very attentively28 to the discourse29, lifted up with both hands the greatest part of a Cheshire cheese that lay upon the table, saying, “I do know vat30 is boetre. Mine brotre be a great boet, and ave vrought a book as dick as all dat.” Pickle31, diverted with this method of estimating an author according to the quantity of his works, inquired about the subjects of this bard’s writings; but of these his brother could give no account, or other information, but that there was little market for the commodity, which hung heavy upon his hands, and induced him to wish he had applied32 himself to another trade.
The only remarkable scene in Amsterdam, which our company bad not seen, was the Spuyl or music-houses, which, by the connivance33 of the magistrates34, are maintained for the recreation of those who might attempt the chastity of creditable women, if they were not provided with such conveniences. To one of these night-houses did our travellers repair, under the conduct of the English merchant, and were introduced into such another place as the ever-memorable coffee-house of Moll King; with this difference, that the company here were not so riotous35 as the bucks36 of Covent Garden, but formed themselves into a circle, within which some of the number danced to the music of a scurvy37 organ and a few other instruments, that uttered tunes38 very suitable to the disposition of the hearers, while the whole apartment was shrouded39 with clouds of smoke impervious40 to the view. When our gentlemen entered, the floor was occupied by two females and their gallants, who, in the performance of their exercise, lifted their legs like so many oxen at plough and the pipe of one of those hoppers happening to be exhausted41, in the midst of his saraband, he very deliberately42 drew forth43 his tobacco-box, filling and lighting44 it again, without any interruption to the dance.
Peregrine being unchecked by the presence of his governor, who was too tender of his own reputation to attend them in this expedition, made up to a sprightly45 French girl who sat in seeming expectation of a customer, and prevailing46 upon her to be his partner, led her into the circle, and in his turn took the opportunity of dancing a minuet, to the admiration of all present. He intended to have exhibited another specimen47 of his ability in this art, when a captain of a Dutch man-of-war chancing to come in, and seeing a stranger engaged with the lady whom, it seems, he had bespoke48 for his bedfellow, he advanced without any ceremony, and seizing her by the arm, pulled her to the other side of the room. Our adventurer, who was not a man to put up with such a brutal49 affront50, followed the ravisher with indignation in his eyes; and pushing him on one side, retook the subject of their contest, and led her back to the place from whence she had been dragged. The Dutchman, enraged51 at the youth’s presumption52, obeyed the first dictates53 of his choler, and lent his rival a hearty54 box on the ear; which was immediately repaid with interest, before our hero could recollect55 himself sufficiently56 to lay his hand upon his sword, and beckon57 the aggressor to the door.
Notwithstanding the confusion and disorder58 which this affair produced in the room, and the endeavours of Pickle’s company, who interposed, in order to prevent bloodshed, the antagonists59 reached the street; and Peregrine drawing, was surprised to see the captain advance against him with a long knife, which he preferred to the sword that hung by his side. The youth, confounded at this preposterous60 behaviour, desired him, in the French tongue, to lay aside that vulgar implement61, and approach like a gentleman. But the Hollander, who neither understood the proposal, nor would have complied with this demand, had he been made acquainted with his meaning, rushed forward like a desperado, before his adversary62 could put himself on his guard; and if the young gentleman had not been endued63 with surprising agility64, his nose would have fallen a sacrifice to the fury of the assailant. Finding himself in such imminent65 jeopardy66, he leaped to one side, and the Dutchman passing him, in the force of his career, he with one nimble kick made such application to his enemy’s heels, that he flew like lightning into the canal, where he had almost perished by pitching upon one of the posts with which it is faced.
Peregrine having performed this exploit, did not stay for the captain’s coming on shore, but retreated with all despatch67, by the advice of his conductor; and next day embarked68, with his companions, in the skuyt, for Haerlem, where they dined; and in the evening arrived at the ancient city of Leyden, where they met with some English students, who treated them with great hospitality. Not but that the harmony of the conversation was that same night interrupted by a dispute that arose between one of those young gentlemen and the physician, about the cold and hot methods of prescription69 in the gout and rheumatism70; and proceeded to such a degree of mutual71 reviling72, that Pickle, ashamed and incensed73 at his fellow-traveller’s want of urbanity, espoused74 the other’s cause, and openly rebuked75 him for his unmannerly petulance76, which, he said, rendered him unfit for the purposes, and unworthy of the benefit, of society. This unexpected declaration overwhelmed the doctor with amazement77 and confusion; he was instantaneously deprived of his speech, and, during the remaining part of the party, sat in silent mortification78. In all probability, he deliberated with himself, whether or not he should expostulate with the young gentleman on the freedom he had taken with his character in a company of strangers; but as he knew he had not a Pallet to deal with, he very prudently79 suppressed that suggestion, and, in secret, chewed the cud of resentment80.
After they had visited the physic-garden, the university, the anatomical hall, and every other thing that was recommended to their view, they returned to Rotterdam, and held a consultation81 upon the method of transporting themselves to England. The doctor, whose grudge82 against Peregrine was rather inflamed83 than allayed84 by our hero’s indifference85 and neglect, had tampered86 with the simplicity87 of the painter, who was proud of his advances towards a perfect reconciliation88, and now took the opportunity of parting with our adventurer, by declaring that he and his friend Mr. Pallet were resolved to take their passage in a trading sloop89, after he had heard Peregrine object against that tedious, disagreeable, and uncertain method of conveyance90. Pickle immediately saw his intention, and, without using the least argument to dissuade91 them from their design, or expressing the smallest degree of concern at their separation, very coolly wished them a prosperous voyage, and ordered his baggage to be sent to Helvoetsluys. There he himself, and his retinue92, went on board of the packet next day, and, by the favour of a fair wind, in eighteen hours arrived at Harwich.
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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extolled
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| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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impromptus
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| n.即兴曲( impromptu的名词复数 ) | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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millers
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| n.（尤指面粉厂的）厂主( miller的名词复数 )；磨房主；碾磨工；铣工 | |
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miller
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| n.磨坊主 | |
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meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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billiards
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| n.台球 | |
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snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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auspices
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| n.资助，赞助 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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complaisant
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| adj.顺从的，讨好的 | |
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appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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vat
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| n.(=value added tax)增值税，大桶 | |
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pickle
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| n.腌汁，泡菜；v.腌，泡 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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connivance
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| n.纵容；默许 | |
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magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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riotous
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| adj.骚乱的；狂欢的 | |
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bucks
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| n.雄鹿( buck的名词复数 )；钱；（英国十九世纪初的）花花公子；（用于某些表达方式）责任v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的第三人称单数 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃 | |
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scurvy
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| adj.下流的，卑鄙的，无礼的；n.坏血病 | |
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tunes
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| n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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impervious
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| adj.不能渗透的，不能穿过的，不易伤害的 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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affront
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| n./v.侮辱，触怒 | |
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enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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dictates
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| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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beckon
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| v.(以点头或打手势)向...示意，召唤 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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antagonists
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| 对立[对抗] 者，对手，敌手( antagonist的名词复数 )； 对抗肌； 对抗药 | |
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preposterous
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| adj.荒谬的，可笑的 | |
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implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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endued
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| v.授予，赋予（特性、才能等）( endue的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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jeopardy
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| n.危险；危难 | |
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despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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prescription
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| n.处方，开药；指示，规定 | |
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rheumatism
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| n.风湿病 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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reviling
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| v.辱骂，痛斥( revile的现在分词 ) | |
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incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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espoused
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| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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rebuked
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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petulance
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| n.发脾气，生气，易怒，暴躁，性急 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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prudently
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| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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allayed
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| v.减轻，缓和( allay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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tampered
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| v.窜改( tamper的过去式 )；篡改；（用不正当手段）影响；瞎摆弄 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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88
reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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89
sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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90
conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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91
dissuade
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| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
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92
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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