The Adventures of Roderick Random

Of all kinds of satire, there is none so entertaining and universally improving, as that which is...

A young painter, indulging a vein of pleasantry, sketched a kind of conversation piece,...

I was born in the northern part of this united kingdom, in the house of my grandfather, a gentleman...

The violence of my mothers affliction had such an effect on her constitution that she was...

There were not wanting some who suspected my uncles of being concerned in my fathers fate, on the...

It would be endless to enumerate the exploits we performed in the course of this confederacy, which...

He was a strong built man, somewhat bandy legged, with a neck like that of a bull, and a face which...

The young ladies, who thought themselves too much concerned to contain themselves any longer, set...

This brutal behaviour, added to the sufferings I had formerly undergone made me think it high time...

I make great progress in my Studies am caressed by Everybody my female Cousins take notice of me I...

Finding this plan miscarry, they found means to irritate a young gentleman against me, by telling...

To Roderick Random Dear Rory, Dont be grieved at my misfortune, but mind your book, my lad. I have...

My surprise at hearing this was not at all affected, whatever his might be; and I gave to...

The fumes of my resentment being dissipated, as well as the vanity of my success, I found myself...

I was soon convinced of the real motives which induced Crab to receive me in this manner; for,...

In this manner I lived, without hearing the least tidings of my uncle for the space of two years,...

I gave him a thousand thanks for his obliging offer although I was very well apprised of his...

We retired immediately to my lodgings, where, calling for some beer, I desired to be informed of...

I listened with great attention, and heard him say, in a terrible tone, D n that son of a b h,...

The itinerant merchant no sooner felt somebody shaking him by the shoulder, than he started up,...

With these words she advanced to the bed, in which he lay, and, finding the sheets cold, exclaimed,...

We proceed on our Journey are overtaken by a Highwayman who fires at Strap is prevented from...

As I had not yet recovered my reason, he, before I could answer, observed a body lying on the...

The time between this event and dinner I passed in observing a game at cards between two farmers,...

By this time dinner being ready, I waked my companion, and we ate altogether with great...

Strap and I were about to depart on our journey, when we perceived a crowd on the road coming...

This dreadful salutation had no sooner reached the ears of Strap than, starting out of bed, he ran...

As he was very inquisitive about our affairs, we made no scruple of acquainting him with our...

We travelled half a mile without exchanging one word; my thoughts being engrossed by the knavery of...

The discourse gave me such a high notion of the captain and his lady that I durst not venture to...

In the midst of this quarrel the master of the waggon alighted, who, understanding the cause of the...

Next morning I agreed to give the master of the waggon ten shillings for my passage to London,...

Strap and I are terrified by an Apparition Straps Conjecture the Mystery explained by Joey we...

While we were deliberating upon what was to be done, a hackney coachman, driving softly along, and...

While he entertained the company in this manner, with an eloquence peculiar to himself, the cook...

As we walked along, Strap triumphed greatly in our reception with his friend, who, it seems, had...

The gentleman at whose request we had come in, perceiving by my disconsolate looks the situation of...

At my return, I was surprised with the agreeable news of Straps being employed, on the...

My new acquaintance breaks an appointment I proceed, by myself, to the Navy Office address me to a...

Next day we returned to the Navy Office, where, after being called before the Board, and questioned...

I acquiesced in this observation, and inquired how he intended to proceed. At this question he...

With the assistance of this faithful adherent, who gave me almost all the money he earned, I...

While I was reflecting on this melancholy event, which had made me quite sober, one of the ladies,...

Full of these disagreeable reflections, I arrived at the house where I lodged, and relieved my...

We were informed, that the schoolmaster was in company at a public house in the neighbourhood,...

In the meantime, my industry and knowledge gained me the goodwill of my master, who would often say...

One night, at about twelve oclock, as I returned from visiting a patient at Chelsea, I received a...

Sir If I may be allowed to judge from appearance, it will not be disagreeable for you to hear that...

Squire Gawky comes to lodge with my master is involved in a troublesome affair, out of which he is...

This eulogium on his wife and daughter, though spoken ironically by him, was nevertheless literally...

I one day, when I sat in this solitary retreat musing upon the unhappiness of my fate, was alarmed...

But to return to my unfortunate story. After some months, the visits of my lover became less...

Being well acquainted with this hand, I had no reason to suspect an imposition in this letter,...

Her story was here interrupted by a rap at the door, which I no sooner opened, than three or four...

It is impossible to describe the consternation I was under, when I saw myself detained as a thiefs...

At this instant a sea lieutenant came in, and seeing my plight, began to inquire into the...

I am reduced to a great misery assaulted on Tower Hill by a press gang, who put me on board a...

This account of the captains behaviour gave me no advantageous idea of his character; and I could...

My friend was grievously alarmed at this accident, the more so, as his namesake had very much the...

The poor fellow, with great simplicity, ran to the place where the sick man lay, but in less than a...

I could not comprehend how it was possible for the attendants to come near those who hung on the...

I acquire the friendship of the Surgeon, who procures a warrant for me, and makes me a present of...

I found my spirit revive with my good fortune; and, now I was an officer, resolved to maintain the...

The Captain enraged, threatens to put the Madman to death with his own hand is diverted from that...

This pathetic address to me, joined to my inclination to serve my honest friend, and the reasons I...

About a week after this exploit, as I was going my rounds among the sick, I was taken prisoner, and...

We lament the fate of our companion the Captain offers Morgan his liberty, which he refuses to...

Dear Friend, I am so much oppressed with the fatigue I daily and nightly undergo, and the barbarous...

The keys of our chests and lockers being sent to us by the doctor, we detained the messenger until...

Our Land Forces being disembarked, erect a fascine battery our ship is ordered, with four more, to...

We had not been many minutes engaged, when one of the sailors brought another on his back to the...

Having cannonaded the fort during the space of four hours, we were all ordered to slip our cables,...

An epidemic Fever rages among us we abandon our Conquests I am seized with Distemper write a...

As I was not under any apprehensions of death, I could not help smiling at the chaplains...

Our tyrant having left the ship, and carried his favourite Mackshane along with him, to my...

Captain Whiffle sends for me his situation described his surgeon arrives, prescribes for him, and...

In a few weeks, our ship being under sailing orders, I was in hope of revisiting my native country,...

A strange adventure in consequence of which I am extremely happy Crampley does me in offices with...

Next day he accompanied me to the ship, where Mr. Brayl entertained him at dinner, and we having...

We depart for Europe a misunderstanding arises between the Captain and the Surgeon, through the...

We had been seven weeks at sea, when the gunner told the captain that, by his reckoning, we must be...

But as I lay ruminating, my passion insensibly abated; I considered my situation in quite another...

Your lady, said she, is a maiden of forty years, not so remarkable for her beauty as her learning...

We returned to the kitchen, where I was regaled by the maids, who seemed to vie with each other in...

After having taken a full view of this collection, I retired, and at the usual time was preparing...

During this season of love and tranquillity, my muse, which had lain dormant so long, awoke, and...

My mistress paid me a cold compliment on the versification, which, she said, was elegant enough,...

At certain intervals my ambition would revive; I would despise myself for my tame resignation to my...

While she thus warned me of my danger, we heard a knocking at the door, which threw us both into...

After this friendly contest was over, he proposed we should have a mess of something; For, said he,...

I was confirmed in this resolution by a reverend priest, who, passing by at this time, and...

It was not long before I discovered my fellow traveller to be a merry facetious fellow, who,...

While I stood in the porch forlorn and undetermined, venting ejaculations of curses against the...

One day, while we enjoyed a halt, and the soldiers with their wives had gone out to dance,...

This circumstance was a great consolation to us, who thence took occasion to claim the victory; and...

I was ravished at this piece of good news and, having accommodated myself in a moment, hugged my...

After breakfast, Monsieur dEstrapes went to pay his devoirs to the marquis, and was so successful...

Next day I hired very handsome lodgings not far from Charing Cross; and in the evening dressed...

My next care was to introduce myself into a set of good acquaintance. for which purpose I...

Having thus gratified my curiosity, the old gentleman began to discover his own, in questions...

I accepted his offer with pleasure, and we went thither in a hackney coach where I saw a great...

This simplicity of the physician furnished excellent diversion for the company, who, in their...

This freedom of mine gave umbrage to Bragwell, who testified his displeasure by swearing a few...

In the morning, before I got up, Strap came into my chamber, and, finding me awake, hemmed several...

Next day, in the afternoon, I waited on her at her lodgings, by permission, in company with...

This good creatures unalterable friendship for me affected me with the most grateful sentiments,...

We repair to the coffee house, where we overhear a curious dispute between Wagtail and Medlar,...

This anecdote, which had no other foundation than in Banters own invention, afforded a good deal of...

I guessed, from the style and superscription of this billet, that my rival was a true Milesian, and...

As we walked along conversing socially together, we were met by a file of musketeers, and Strap at...

At last, finding myself unable to support the expense of this amour much longer, I was determined...

I long to be revenged on Melinda apply to Banter for his Assistance he contrives a scheme for that...

At length the metamorphosed barber took her out, and acted his part with such ridiculous...

While I thus posted, in a thoughtless manner, towards poverty, I one day received, by the penny...

At length the happy hour arrived. I flew to the place of rendezvous, and was conducted into an...

Baffled hitherto in my matrimonial schemes, I began to question my talents for the science of...

Among other topics of discourse, that of the Belles Lettres was introduced, upon which his lordship...

Intoxicated with these ideas, I went to the ordinary, where, meeting with Banter, I communicated...

Balked in this piece of politics, I cursed my simplicity; but resolved to play a surer game with...

As I marched out with my prize, I happened to tread on the toes of a tall raw boned fellow, with a...

I purchase new Clothes reprimand Strutwell and Straddle Banter proposes another matrimonial Scheme...

As we embarked before day, I had not the pleasure for some time of seeing Miss Snapper that was the...

In the meantime, the day breaking in upon us, discovered to one another the faces of their fellow...

Nettled at her remarks, I took the same method of conveying my sentiments, and wondered in my turn,...

I resolve to ingratiate myself with the Mother, and am favoured by accident the Precise Lady finds...

The forenoon was spent in visiting everything that was worth seeing in the place, in company with a...

Undeceived so much to my satisfaction in this particular, I gazed in a frenzy of delight on the...

In the afternoon, I drank tea at the house of Mr. Freeman, to whom I had been recommended by...

She was startled at my ravings, reasoned down my transport, and by her irresistible eloquence,...

Miss Williams informs me of Narcissas Approbation of my Flame I appease the Squire write to my...

I was next morning, as usual, favoured with a visit from my kind and punctual confidante, who,...

Sir, To say I look upon you with indifference would be a piece of dissimulation which I think no...

The evening being pretty far advanced, I forced myself from the dear object of my flame, who...

Having uttered this exclamation, at which she sighed, I went home in the condition of a frantic...

While we conversed in this manner, the savage came in with another gentleman, who introduced him to...

As I did not doubt that by this time the scandalous aspersions of Melinda were diffused all over...

I was introduced, at the hour appointed, to this divine creature, who, notwithstanding what she had...

I was surprised at this promise, which I construed into a threat, and resolved, if ever he should...

Thither I immediately repaired, and was conducted to an apartment where I was received by his...

In one of my lucid intervals, however, I charged him to take a place in the stage coach for London;...

It is with great difficulty that I have stolen, from the observation of those spies who are set...

I am arrested carried to the Marshalsea find my old Acquaintance beau Jackson in that Jail he...

After dinner Jackson left us to our private affairs; when I desired my friend to pack up all our...

He was no sooner gone than I locked my door, and sat down to the tragedy; which I read to the end...

About the age of eighteen, I grew ambitious of undertaking a work of some consequence; and, with my...

Mr. OVarnish, being informed of my necessity, offered to introduce me to the author of a weekly...

I made shift, notwithstanding, to maintain myself till the beginning of next winter, when I renewed...

I was present at the reading; and I protest to you, my dear friend, I never underwent such a severe...

Why should I tire you with particulars of my consequence. I wrestled with extreme poverty until the...

In short, my dear sir, this person, who, I must own, is if a sanguine complexion, handled the moral...