Peregrine is celebrated1 as a Wit and Patron, and proceeds to entertain himself at the Expense of whom it did concern.
In the meantime, Peregrine flourished in the gay scenes of life, and, as I have already observed, had divers2 opportunities of profiting in the way of marriage, had not his ambition been a little too inordinate3, and his heart still biased4 by a passion, which all the levity5 of youth could not balance, nor all the pride of vanity overcome. Nor was our hero unmarked in the world of letters and taste; he had signalized himself in several poetical6 productions, by which he had acquired a good share of reputation: not that the pieces were such as ought to have done much honour to his genius; but any tolerable performance from a person of his figure and supposed fortune, will always be considered by the bulk of readers as an instance of astonishing capacity; though the very same production, ushered7 into the world with the name of an author in less affluent8 circumstances would be justly disregarded and despised; so much is the opinion of most people influenced and overawed by ridiculous considerations.
Be this as it will, our young gentleman was no sooner distinguished9 as an author, than he was marked out as a patron by all the starving retainers to poetry; he was solemnised in odes, celebrated in epigrams, and fed with the milk of soft dedication10. His vanity even relished11 this incense12; and, though his reason could not help despising those that offered it, not one of them was sent away unowned by his munificence13. He began to think himself, in good earnest, that superior genius which their flattery had described; he cultivated acquaintance with the wits of fashion, and even composed in secret a number of bon-mots, which he uttered in company as the impromptus14 of his imagination. In this practice, indeed, he imitated some of the most renowned15 geniuses of the age, who, if the truth were known, have laboured in secret, with the sweat of their brows, for many a repartee16 which they have vended17 as the immediate18 production of fancy and expression. He was so successful in this exercise of his talents, that his fame actually came in competition with that great man who had long sat at the helm of wit; and, in a dialogue that once happened between them, on the subject of a corkscrew, wherein the altercation19 was discharged, according to Bayes, slap for slap, dash for dash, our hero was judged to have the better of his lordship, by some of the minor20 satellites, that commonly surround and reflect the rays of such mighty21 luminaries22.
In a word, he dipped himself so far in these literary amusements, that he took the management of the pit into his direction, putting himself at the head of those critics who call themselves the town; and in that capacity chastised23 several players, who had been rendered insolent24 and refractory25 by unmerited success. As for the new productions of the stage, though generally unspirited and insipid26, they always enjoyed the benefit of his influence and protection; because he never disliked the performance so much as he sympathized with the poor author, who stood behind the scenes in the most dreadful suspense27, trembling, as it were, on the very brink28 of damnation. Yet, though he extended his generosity29 and compassion30 to the humble31 and needy32, he never let slip one opportunity of mortifying33 villainy and arrogance34. Had the executive power of the legislature been vested in him, he would have doubtless devised strange species of punishment for all offenders35 against humanity and decorum; but, restricted as he was, he employed his invention in subjecting them to the ridicule36 and contempt of their fellow-subjects.
It was with this view he set on foot the scheme of conjuration, which was still happily carried on, and made use of the intelligence of his friend Cadwallader; though he sometimes converted this advantage to the purposes of gallantry, being, as the reader may have perceived, of a very amorous37 complexion38. He not only acted the reformer, or rather the castigator39, in the fashionable world, but also exercised his talents among the inferior class of people, who chanced to incur40 his displeasure. One mischievous41 plan that entered our hero’s imagination was suggested by two advertisements published in the same paper, by persons who wanted to borrow certain sums of money, for which they promised to give undeniable security. Peregrine, from the style and manner of both, concluded they were written by attorneys, a species of people for whom he entertained his uncle’s aversion. In order to amuse himself and some of his friends with their disappointment, he wrote a letter signed A. B. to each advertiser, according to the address specified42 in the newspaper, importing, that if he would come with his writings to a certain coffee-house near the Temple, precisely43 at six in the evening, he would find a person sitting in the right-hand box next to the window, who would be glad to treat with him about the subject of his advertisement; and, should his security be liked, would accommodate him with the sum which he wanted to raise. Before the hour of this double appointment, Pickle44, with his friend Cadwallader, and a few more gentlemen, to whom he had thought proper to communicate the plan, went to the coffee-house, and seated themselves near the place that was destined45 for their meeting.
The hope of getting money had such an evident effect upon their punctuality, that one of them arrived a considerable time before the hour; and having reconnoitred the room, took his station according to the direction he had received, fixing his eye upon a dock that stood before him, and asking of the barkeeper, if it was not too slow. He, had not remained in this posture46 many minutes, when he was joined by a strange figure that waddled47 into the room, with a bundle of papers in his bosom48, and. the sweat running over his nose. Seeing a man in the box to which he had been directed, he took it for granted that he was the lender; and as soon as he could recover his breath, which was almost exhausted49 by the despatch50 he had made, “Sir,” said he, “I presume you are the gentleman I was to meet about that loan.” Here he was interrupted by the other, who eagerly replied, “A. B., sir, I suppose.” “The same,” cried the last-comer: “I was afraid I should be too late; for I was detained beyond my expectation by a nobleman at the other end of the town, that wants to mortgage a small trifle of his estate, about a thousand a year; and my watch happens to be in the hands of the maker51, having met with an accident a few nights ago, which set it asleep. But, howsomever, there is no time lost, and I hope this affair will be transacted52 to the satisfaction of us both. For my own part, I love to do good offices myself, and therefore I expect nothing but what is fair and honest of other people.”
His new friend was exceedingly comforted by this declaration, which he considered as a happy omen53 of his success; and the hope of fingering the cash operated visibly in his countenance54, while he expressed his satisfaction at meeting with a person of such candour and humanity. “The pleasure,” said he, “of dealing55 with an easy conscientious56 man is, in my opinion, superior to that of touching57 all the money upon earth; for what joy can be compared with what a generous mind feels in befriending its fellow-creatures? I was never so happy in my life, as at one time, in lending five hundred pounds to a worthy58 gentleman in distress59, without insisting upon rigid60 security. Sir, one may easily distinguish an upright man by his countenance: for example now, I think I could take your word for ten thousand pounds.” The other, with great joy, protested, that he was right in his conjecture61, and returned the compliment a thousand-fold; by which means, the expectation of both was wound up to a very interesting pitch; and both, at the same instant, began to produce their papers, in the untying62 of which their hands shook with transports of eagerness and impatience63; while their eyes were so intent upon their work, that they did not perceive the occupation of each other.
At length, one of them, having got the start of the other, and unrolled several skins of musty parchment, directed his view to the employment of his friend; and, seeing him fumbling64 at his bundle, asked if that was a blank bond and conveyance65 which he had brought along with him. The other, without lifting up his eyes, or desisting from his endeavours to loose the knot, which by this time he had applied66 to his teeth, answered this question in the negative, observing that the papers in his hand were the security which he proposed to give for the money. This reply converted the looks of the inquirer into a stare of infinite solidity, accompanied with the word Anan! which he pronounced in a tone of fear and astonishment67. The other, alarmed at this note, cast his eyes towards the supposed lender, and was in a moment infected by his aspect. All the exultation68 of hope that sparkled in their eyes was now succeeded by disappointment and dismay; and while they gazed ruefully at each other, their features were gradually elongated69, like the transient curls of a Middle-row periwig.
This emphatic70 silence was, however, broken by the last-comer, who, in a faltering71 accent, desired the other to recollect72 the contents of his letter. “Of your letter!” cried the first, putting into his hand the advertisement he had received from Pickle; which he had no sooner perused73, than he produced his own for the satisfaction of the other party. So that another gloomy pause ensued, at the end of which, each uttered a profound sigh, or rather groan74, and, rising up, sneaked75 off without further communication, he who seemed to be the most afflicted76 of the two, taking his departure, with an exclamation77 of “Humbugged, egad!”
Such were the amusements of our hero, though they did not engross78 his whole time, some part of which was dedicated79 to nocturnal riots and revels80, among a set of young noblemen, who had denounced war against temperance, economy, and common sense, and were indeed the devoted81 sons of tumult82, waste, and prodigality83. Not that Peregrine relished those scenes, which were a succession of absurd extravagance, devoid84 of all true spirit, taste, or enjoyment85. But his vanity prompted him to mingle86 with those who are entitled the choice spirits of the age; and his disposition87 was so pliable88, as to adapt itself easily to the measures of his company, where he had not influence enough to act in the capacity of a director. Their rendezvous89 was a certain tavern90, which might be properly styled the temple of excess, where they left the choice of their fare to the discretion91 of the landlord, that they might save themselves the pains of exercising their own reason; and, in order to avoid the trouble of adjusting the bill, ordered the waiter to declare how much every individual must pay, without specifying92 the articles of the charge. This proportion generally amounted to two guineas per head for each dinner and supper; and frequently exceeded that sum; of which the landlord durst not abate93, without running the risk of having his nose slit94 for his moderation.
But this was puny95 expense compared with that which they often incurred96, by the damage done to the furniture and servants, in the madness of their intoxication97, as well as the loss they sustained at hazard, an amusement to which all of them had recourse in the progress of their debauches. This elegant diversion was introduced, encouraged, and promoted by a crew of rapacious98 sharpers, who had made themselves necessary companions to this hopeful generation, by the talents of pimping and buffoonery. Though they were universally known, even by those they preyed99 upon to have no other means of earning their livelihood100, than the most infamous101 and fraudulent practices, they were caressed102 and courted by these infatuated dupes, when a man of honour, who would not join in their excesses, would have been treated with the utmost indignity103 and contempt.
Though Peregrine, in his heart, detested104 those abandoned courses, and was a professed105 enemy to the whole society of gamesters, whom he considered, and always treated, as the foes106 of humankind, he was insensibly accustomed to licentious107 riot, and even led imperceptibly into play by those cormorants108, who are no less dangerous in the art of cheating, than by their consummate109 skill in working up the passions of unwary youth. They are, for the most part, naturally cool, phlegmatic110, and crafty111, and, by a long habit of dissimulation112, have gained an absolute dominion113 over the hasty passions of the heart; so that they engage with manifest advantage over the impatience and impetuosity of a warm undesigning temper, like that of our young gentleman, who, when he was heated with wine, misled by example, invited on one hand, and defied on the other, forgot all his maxims114 of caution and sobriety, and, plunging115 into the reigning116 folly117 of the place, had frequent occasions to moralize in the morning upon the loss of the preceding night. These penitential reflections were attended with many laudable resolutions of profiting by the experience which he had so dearly purchased; but he was one of those philosophers who always put off till another day the commencement of their reformation.
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1
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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inordinate
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| adj.无节制的；过度的 | |
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biased
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| a.有偏见的 | |
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levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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affluent
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| adj.富裕的，富有的，丰富的，富饶的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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dedication
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| n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞 | |
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relished
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| v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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munificence
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| n.宽宏大量，慷慨给与 | |
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impromptus
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| n.即兴曲( impromptu的名词复数 ) | |
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renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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repartee
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| n.机敏的应答 | |
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vended
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| v.出售（尤指土地等财产）( vend的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指在公共场所）贩卖；发表（意见，言论）；声明 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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altercation
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| n.争吵，争论 | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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luminaries
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| n.杰出人物，名人（luminary的复数形式） | |
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chastised
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| v.严惩（某人）（尤指责打）( chastise的过去式 ) | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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refractory
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| adj.倔强的，难驾驭的 | |
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insipid
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| adj.无味的，枯燥乏味的，单调的 | |
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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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needy
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
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mortifying
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| adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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offenders
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| n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物） | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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amorous
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| adj.多情的；有关爱情的 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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castigator
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| n.鞭打者；申斥者；修订者；惩罚者 | |
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incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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specified
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| adj.特定的 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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pickle
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| n.腌汁，泡菜；v.腌，泡 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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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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waddled
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| v.（像鸭子一样）摇摇摆摆地走( waddle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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transacted
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| v.办理（业务等）( transact的过去式和过去分词 )；交易，谈判 | |
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omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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untying
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| untie的现在分词 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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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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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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elongated
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| v.延长，加长( elongate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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perused
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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sneaked
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| v.潜行( sneak的过去式和过去分词 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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engross
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| v.使全神贯注 | |
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dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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83
prodigality
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| n.浪费，挥霍 | |
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84
devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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85
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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86
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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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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88
pliable
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| adj.易受影响的；易弯的；柔顺的，易驾驭的 | |
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89
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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90
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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91
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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92
specifying
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| v.指定( specify的现在分词 )；详述；提出…的条件；使具有特性 | |
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93
abate
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| vi.(风势，疼痛等)减弱，减轻，减退 | |
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94
slit
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| n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂 | |
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95
puny
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| adj.微不足道的，弱小的 | |
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96
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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97
intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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98
rapacious
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| adj.贪婪的，强夺的 | |
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99
preyed
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| v.掠食( prey的过去式和过去分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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100
livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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101
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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102
caressed
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| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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103
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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104
detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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105
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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106
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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107
licentious
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| adj.放纵的，淫乱的 | |
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108
cormorants
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| 鸬鹚，贪婪的人( cormorant的名词复数 ) | |
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109
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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110
phlegmatic
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| adj.冷静的，冷淡的，冷漠的，无活力的 | |
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111
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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112
dissimulation
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| n.掩饰，虚伪，装糊涂 | |
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113
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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114
maxims
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| n.格言，座右铭( maxim的名词复数 ) | |
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115
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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116
reigning
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| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
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117
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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