The Adventures of Roderick Random (Oxford World's Classics)

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Throughout the novel, Random is referred to by the author and others as a " North Briton". The relatively recent Act of Union between England and Scotland in 1707 was still controversial.

There is also a plaque at his temporary residence in Edinburgh, just off the Royal Mile at the head of St John's Street, where his wife lived after his death until at least 1785. [9] This states that he resided there in the house of his sister, Mrs. Telfer, for the summer of 1766. A second plaque (dating the building at 1758, making it relatively new at that time) states that he "stayed here occasionally," implying more than one visit.Meanwhile, I was tempted by the richness of the prize, to practise upon Miss Grapwell's heart, but soon found it too well fortified with pride and indifference to yield. One day, while we enjoyed a halt, and the soldiers with their wives had gone out to pance my comrade staid at home with me, on pretence of friendship, and comforted me with pity and consolation. He told me, I would soon be seasoned to the service; and he did not doubt but I should have the honour to contribute to the honour of the king. Have courage therefore my child, said he, and pray to God that you may be as happy as I am who have had the honour of serving Lewis the Great, and helping to establish his glory. When I looked upon the contemptible object. I was amazed at the infatuation that possessed him; and could not help expressing my astonishment at the absurdity of a rational being, who thinks himself highly honoured in being permitted to encounter poverty, famine, diseases, and mutilation, merely to gratify the vicious ambition of a prince, by whom his sufferings were disregarded, and his name utterly unknown. The solider was very much affronted at the liberty I took with his king, and advised me to correct the rebellious principles I had imbibed among the English, who for their insolence to (illegible text) kings, were notorious ​all over the world. To which I replied in the same strain. I suppose, sir, you are not pleased with my dress.”“Dress,” answered he, “you may caal it fat you please in your

and guts, before he had robbed me, or any one in this diligence.”“Ha, ha, ha,” cried Miss Jenny, “I believe you will eat allWriting poems, plays, travel and history books, essays, satires, doing translations and even becoming a literary critic and magazine editor, Dr. Smollett struggled all his short life against poverty, he traveled to Italy, to regain his health, but died of tuberculosis near Livorno, in 1771. Ironically finishing his masterpiece, The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, a few months before his death. Soon after, my attention was wholly engrossed in search of another mistress, and therefore of being revenged on Melinda; in both which scheme I was very much assisted by Billy Chatter. To him therefore I applied desiring he would introduce me to a partner of some figure at the next private assembly. He promised to gratify my desire by matching me with a partner worth thirty thousand pounds. Upon inquiry I found this person's name was Miss Biddy Gripewell; that her father, who had been a pawn broker, died intestate, by which means all his substance descended to his daughter; that during his life so far from being educated in a way suitable to such a great expectations, she was obliged to live like a servant-wench and do the most menial offices in the family. I was ratified at this piece of information, and consented, for one ​night, to personate a French marquis. that I might the easier fulfil my revenge. He proposed also, to procure such an one for Mr. Goosetrap. as would infallibly intail upon her the ridicule of all her acquaintance: for this purpose he mentioned his barber. who, he said, was an exceedingly great coxcomb, lately come from Paris. Soon after these alteration, the admiral pitched upon our ship to carry home dispatches ​dispatches for the ministry; accordingly we set sail for England.

At length the metamorphosed barber took her but, and acted his part with such ridiculous extravagance, that the mirth of the whole company was excited at this expence, and she retired in great confusion, under pretence of being taken suddenly ill, ​and was followed by her gallant. They were no sooner gone, than an inquisitive whisper of “Who is he?” run round the room; and Chatter could give no other intelligence about him than that he was a man of fortune, just returned from his travels. Smollett was born at Dalquhurn, now part of Renton in present-day West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, and baptised on 19 March 1721 (his birth date is estimated as 3 days previously). [2] He was the fourth son of Archibald Smollett of Bonhill, a judge and landowner, laird of Bonhill, living at Dalquhurn [3] on the River Leven, who died about 1726, when Smollett was just five years old. His mother Barbara Smollett née Cunningham brought the family up there, until she died about 1766. He had a brother, Captain James Smollett, and a sister, Jean Smollett, who married Alexander Telfair of Symington, Ayrshire. Jean succeeded to Bonhill after the death of her cousin-german, Mr Commissary Smollett, and resumed her maiden name of Smollett in 1780. They lived in St John Street off Canongate, Edinburgh, and had a son who was in the military. presupposes malice aforethought, and a criminal intention a priori.”“Right,” said the captain to this miserable grub, who had been an Before I took possession of my new place, she gave me a sketch of my mistress's character, that I might know better how to regulate my conduct. Your lady said she, is a maiden of forty; this, with her contempt of the male part of the creation, gives her nephew hopes of keeping her fortune, which is considerable in the family. She seldom eats or converts with any of the family but her niece, who ​is a very lovely creature. she never sleeps or eats as other people do and is frequently so absent as to commit very strange mistakes and extravagancies. pull, Sir, you are no milk-sop—we shall do you justice.”“Shall you?” said he, shaking me by the hand; “odds then,

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Having been kept awake the greatest part of the night, by a thousand delightful reveries, I got up betimes. and flying to the place of rendezvous, had the pleasure of seeing Miss Williams approach with a smile on her countenance. She presented me with a letter from the idol of my soul, which I opened with the utmost eagerness, and was blessed with her approbation, in these terms: You find amusing stuff every now and then though. In one chapter he is accused of being a spy because he had written his diary in code language. Greek actually. The prosecutor claims to speak Greek and converses in Irish to prove his point to the judge. Quite funny. At this time, the captain being seized with a violent fit of the gout and gravel, applied to a cask of Holland gin, which was his sovereign prescription against all distempers: but whether he was at that time too sparing or took an over-dose of his cordial certain it is, he departed in the night and was found stiff next morning, to the no small satisfaction of Crampley, who succeeded to the command of the vessel. Having finished this epistle, I committed it to the care of my faithful friend, and in the mean time went to dress with an intention of visiting Mrs. Snapper and Miss, whom I had utterly neglected, ever since my dear Narcissa had resumed the empire of my soul. ​The old gentlewoman received me very kindly, and Miss affected a frankness and gaiety, which I perceived was dissembled. Among other things, she pretended to joke my upon my passion for Narcissa, which she averted was not secret; and asked if I intended to dance with her at the next assembly. I was a good deal concerned to find myself become the town-talk on this subject, lest the Squire, having notice of my inclinations, should disapprove of them, and by breaking off all correspondence with me, deprive me of the opportunities I now enjoyed. But I resolved to use the interest I had with him while it lasted; and that very night, meeting him occasionally, asking his permission to solicit her company at the ball which he readily granted to my inexpressible satisfaction. As we walked along, conversing socially together, we were met by a file of musqueteers, and Strap at their head, who no sooner approached than with a frantic look, he cried, “Seize them! in the name of God seize them!” We were accordingly surrounded. and I put in arrest by the corporal, who was commanding officer; but Captain O'Regan disengaged himself and run with such speed towards Tottenham court-road, that he was out of sight in a moment. When my arms were delivered up and myself secured. I thanked the corporal for his care, and gave him a crown to drink with his men, assuring him that the encounter was over, long before he came up, and every thing compromised.