My father intends to revisit the Place of his Nativity — we propose to accompany him — my Uncle renews his will in my favour, determining to go to sea again — we set out for Scotland — arrive at Edinburgh — purchase our paternal1 Estate — proceed to it — halt at the Town where I was educated — take up my bond to Crab2 — the Behaviour of Potion and his Wife, and one of our Female Cousins — our Reception at the Estate — Strap3 marries Miss Williams, and is settled by my Father to his own satisfaction — I am more and more happy.
My father intending to revisit his native country, and pay the tribute of a few tears at my mother’s grave, Narcissa and I resolved to accompany him in the execution of his pious4 office, and accordingly prepared for the journey, in which, however, my uncle would not engage, being resolved to try his fortune once more at sea. In the meantime he renewed his will in favour of my wife and me, and deposited it in the hands of his brother-in-law: while I (that I might not be wanting to my own interest) summoned the squire5 to produce his father’s will at Doctors’ Commons, and employed a proctor to manage the affair in my absence.
Everything being thus settled, we took leave of all our friends in London, and set out for Scotland, Don Rodrigo, Narcissa, Miss Williams, and I, in the coach, and Strap, with two men in livery, on horseback; as we made easy stages, my charmer held it out very well, till we arrived at Edinburgh, where we proposed to rest ourselves some weeks.
Here Don Rodrigo having intelligence that the foxhunter had spoilt his estate, which was to be exposed to sale by public auction6, he determined7 to make a purchase of the spot where he was born, and actually bought all the land that belonged to his father.
In a few days after this bargain was made, we left Edinburgh, in order to go and take possession; and by the way halted one night in that town where I was educated. Upon inquiry8, I found that Mr. Crab was dead; whereupon I sent for his executor, paid the sum I owed with interest, and took up my bond. Mr. Potion and his wife, hearing of my arrival, had the assurance to come to the inn. where we lodged9, and send up their names, with the desire of being permitted to pay their respects to my father and me: but their sordid10 behaviour towards me, when I was an orphan11, had made too deep an impression on my mind to be effaced12 by this mean mercenary piece of condescension13: I therefore rejected their message with disdain14, and bade Strap tell them, that my father and I desired to have no communication with such low-minded wretches16 as they were.
They had not been gone half-an-hour, when a woman, without any ceremony, opened the door of the room where we sat, and, making towards my father, accosted17 him with, “Uncle, your servant — I am glad to see you.” This was no other than one of my female cousins, mentioned in the first part of my memoirs18, to whom Don Rodrigo replied, “Pray, who are you, madam?” “Oh!” cried she, “my cousin Rory there knows me very well. Don’t you remember me, Rory?” “Yes, madam,” said I; “for my own part, I shall never forget you. Sir, this is one of the young ladies, who (as I have formerly19 told you) treated me so humanely20 in my childhood!” When I pronounced these words, my father’s resentment21 glowed in his visage, and he ordered her to be gone, with such a commanding aspect, that she retired22 in a fright, muttering curses as she went downstairs. We afterwards learned that she was married to an ensign, who had already spent all her fortune; and that her sister had borne a child to her mother’s footman, who is now her husband, and keeps a petty alehouse in the country.
The fame of our flourishing condition having arrived at this place before us, we got notice that the magistrates23 intended next day to compliment us with the freedom of their town; upon which my father, considering their complaisance24 in the right point of view, ordered the horses to the coach early in the morning.
We proceeded to our estate, which lay about twenty miles from this place; and, when we came within half-a-league of the house, were met by a prodigious25 number of poor tenants26, men, women, and children, who testified their joy by loud acclamations, and accompanied our coach to the gate. As there is no part of the world in which the peasants are more attached to their lords than in Scotland, we were almost devoured27 by their affections. My father had always been their favourite, and now that he appeared their master, after having been thought dead so long, their joy broke out into a thousand extravagances. When we entered the court yard, we were surrounded by a vast number, who crowded together so closely to see us that several were in danger of being squeezed to death; those who were near Don Rodrigo fell upon their knees, and kissed his hand, or the hem15 of his garment, praying aloud for long life and prosperity to him; others approached Narcissa and me in the same manner; while the rest clapped their hands at a distance, and invoked28 heaven to shower its choicest blessings29 on our heads! In short, the whole scene, though rude, was so affecting, that the gentle partner of my heart wept over it, and my father himself could not refrain from a dropping a tear.
Having welcomed his daughter and me to his house, he ordered some bullocks to be killed, and some hogsheads of ale to be brought from the neighbouring village, to regale30 these honest people, who had not enjoyed such a holiday for many years before.
Next day we were visited by the gentlemen in the neighbourhood, most of them our relations, one of whom brought along my cousin, the foxhunter, who had stayed at his house since he was obliged to leave his own! My father was generous enough to receive him kindly31, and even promised to purchase for him a commission in the army, for which he expressed great thankfulness and joy.
My charming Narcissa was universally admired and loved for her beauty, affability, and good sense; and so well pleased with the situation of the place, and the company round, that she has not as yet discovered the least desire of changing her habitation.
We had not been many days settled, when I prevailed upon my father to pay a visit to the village where I had been at school. Here we were received by the principal inhabitants, who entertained us in the church, where Mr. Syntax the schoolmaster (my tyrant32 being dead) pronounced a Latin oration33 in honour of our family. And none exerted themselves more than Strap’s father and relations, who looked upon the honest valet as the first gentleman of their race, and honoured his benefactors34 accordingly. Having received the homage35 of this place, we retired, leaving forty pounds for the benefit of the poor of the parish; and that very night, Strap being a little elevated with the regard that had been shown to him, and to me on his account, ventured to tell me, that he had a sneaking36 kindness for Miss Williams, and that, if his lady and I would use our interest in his behalf, he did not doubt that she would listen to his addresses. Surprised at this proposal, I asked if he knew the story of that unfortunate young gentlewoman; upon which he replied, “Yes, yes, I know what you mean — she has been unhappy, I grant you — but what of that? I am convinced of her reformation; or else you and my good lady would not treat her with such respect. As for the censure37 of the world, I value it not a fig’s end — besides, the world knows nothing of the matter.” I commended his philosophy, and interested Narcissa in his cause; who interceded38 so effectually, that in a little time Miss Williams yielded her consent, and they were marred39 at the approbation40 of Don Rodrigo, who gave him five hundred pounds to stock a farm, and made him overseer of his estate. My generous bedfellow gave her maid the same sum; so that they live in great peace and plenty within half-a-mile of us, and daily put up prayers for our preservation41.
If there be such a thing as true happiness on earth, I enjoy it. The impetuous transports of my passion are now settled and mellowed42 into endearing fondness and tranquillity43 of love, rooted by that intimate connection and interchange of hearts which nought44 but virtuous45 wedlock46 can produce. Fortune seems determined to make ample amends47 for her former cruelty, for my proctor writes that, notwithstanding the clause in my father-in-law’s will, on which the squire founds his claim, I shall certainly recover my wife’s fortune, in consequence of a codicil48 annexed49, which explains that clause, and limits her restriction50 to the age of nineteen, after which she was at her own disposal. I would have set out for London immediately after receiving this piece of intelligence, but my dear angel has been qualmish of late, and begins to grow remarkably51 round in the waist; so that I cannot leave her in such an interesting situation, which I hope will produce something to crown my felicity.
The End
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1
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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crab
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| n.螃蟹，偏航，脾气乖戾的人，酸苹果；vi.捕蟹，偏航，发牢骚；vt.使偏航，发脾气 | |
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strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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auction
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| n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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9
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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effaced
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| v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；超越；使黯然失色 | |
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condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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memoirs
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| n.回忆录；回忆录传( mem,自oir的名词复数) | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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humanely
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| adv.仁慈地；人道地；富人情地；慈悲地 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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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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complaisance
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| n.彬彬有礼，殷勤，柔顺 | |
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prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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invoked
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| v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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29
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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regale
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| v.取悦，款待 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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oration
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| n.演说，致辞，叙述法 | |
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benefactors
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| n.捐助者，施主( benefactor的名词复数 )；恩人 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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37
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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38
interceded
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| v.斡旋，调解( intercede的过去式和过去分词 )；说情 | |
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39
marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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40
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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41
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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42
mellowed
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| （使）成熟( mellow的过去式和过去分词 )； 使色彩更加柔和，使酒更加醇香 | |
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43
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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44
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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45
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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46
wedlock
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| n.婚姻，已婚状态 | |
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47
amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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48
codicil
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| n.遗嘱的附录 | |
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49
annexed
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| [法] 附加的，附属的 | |
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50
restriction
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| n.限制，约束 | |
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51
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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