The Adventures of Peregrine PickleSmollett, T. (Tobias)
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The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle
Smollett, T. (Tobias)
Adventure stories; Fiction; Picaresque literature
As the commodore could not bear the fatigue of jolting, they travelled
at an easy pace during the first stage; so that the old gentleman had an
opportunity of communicating his exhortations to his godson, with
regard to his conduct abroad: he advised him, now that he was going
into foreign parts, to be upon his guard against the fair weather of the
French politesse, which was no more to be trusted than a whirlpool at
sea. He observed that many young men had gone to Paris with good cargoes
of sense, and returned with a great deal of canvas, and no ballast
at all, whereby they became crank all the days of their lives, and
sometimes carried their keels above water. He desired Mr. Jolter to keep
his pupil out of the clutches of those sharking priests who lie in wait
to make converts of all young strangers, and in a particular manner
cautioned the youth against carnal conversation with the Parisian dames,
who, he understood, were no better than gaudy fire-ships ready primed
with death and destruction.
Peregrine listened with great respect, thanking him for his kind
admonitions, which he faithfully promised to observe. The halted and
breakfasted at the end of the stage, where Jolter provided himself with
a horse, and the commodore settled the method of corresponding with his
nephew. The minute of parting being arrived, the old commander wrung his
godson by the hand, saying, “I wish thee a prosperous voyage and good
cheer, my lad: my timbers are now a little crazy, d'ye see; and God
knows if I shall keep afloat till such time as I see thee again; but
howsomever, hap what will, thou wilt find thyself in a condition to keep
in the line with the rest of thy fellows.” He then reminded Gauntlet
of his promise to call at the garrison in his return from Dover, and
imparted something in a whisper to the governor, while Jack Hatchway,
unable to speak, pulled his hat over his eyes, and, squeezing Peregrine
by the hand, gave him a pistol of curious workmanship, as a memorial
of his friendship. Our youth, who was not unmoved on this occasion,
received the pledge, which he acknowledged with the present of a
tobacco-box bought for this purpose; and the two lads of the castle
getting into the coach, were driven homewards, in a state of silent
dejection.
Godfrey and Peregrine seated themselves in the post-chaise; and Jolter,
the valet-de-chambre, and lacquey, bestriding their beasts, they
proceeded for the place of their destination, at which they arrived in
safety that same night, and bespoke a passage in the packet-boat which
was to sail next day.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
He adjusts the Method of his Correspondence with Gauntlet; meets by
accident with an Italian Charlatan, and a certain Apothecary, who proves
to be a noted Character.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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