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第32章

the vicar of wakefield-第32章

小说: the vicar of wakefield 字数: 每页4000字

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'How;' cried I to myself; 'shall men so very wicked be chearful; and shall I be melancholy! I feel only the same confinement with them; and I think I have more reason to be happy。'

With such reflections I laboured to become chearful; but chearfulness was never yet produced by effort; which is itself painful。 As I was sitting therefore in a corner of the gaol; in a pensive posture; one of my fellow prisoners came up; and sitting by me; entered into conversation。 It was my constant rule in life never to avoid the conversation of any man who seemed to desire it: for if good; I might profit by his instruction; if bad; he might be assisted by mine。 I found this to be a knowing man; of strong unlettered sense; but a thorough knowledge of the world; as it is called; or; more properly speaking; of human nature on the wrong side。 He asked me if I had taken care to provide myself with a bed; which was a circumstance I had never once attended to。

'That's unfortunate;' cried he; 'as you are allowed here nothing but straw; and your apartment is very large and cold。 However you seem to be something of a gentleman; and as I have been one myself in my time; part of my bed…cloaths are heartily at your service。'

I thanked him; professing my surprize at finding such humanity in a gaol in misfortunes; adding; to let him see that I was a scholar; 'That the sage ancient seemed to understand the value of company in affliction; when he said; Ton kosman aire; ei dos ton etairon; and in fact;' continued I; 'what is the World if it affords only solitude?'

'You talk of the world; Sir;' returned my fellow prisoner; 'the world is in its dotage; and yet the cosmogony or creation of the world has puzzled the philosophers of every age。 What a medly of opinions have they not broached upon the creation of the world。 Sanconiathon; Manetho; Berosus; and Ocellus Lucanus have all attempted it in vain。 The latter has these words。 Anarchon ara kai atelutaion to pan; which implies''I ask pardon; Sir;' cried I; 'for interrupting so much learning; but I think I have heard all this before。 Have I not had the pleasure of once seeing you at Welbridge fair; and is not your name Ephraim Jenkinson?' At this demand he only sighed。 'I suppose you must recollect;' resumed I; 'one Doctor Primrose; from whom you bought a horse。'

He now at once recollected me; for the gloominess of the place and the approaching night had prevented his distinguishing my features before。'Yes; Sir;' returned Mr Jenkinson; 'I remember you perfectly well; I bought an horse; but forgot to pay for him。 Your neighbour Flamborough is the only prosecutor I am any way afraid of at the next assizes: for he intends to swear positively against me as a coiner。 I am heartily sorry; Sir; I ever deceived you; or indeed any man; for you see;' continued he; shewing his shackles; 'what my tricks have brought me to。'

'Well; sir;' replied I; 'your kindness in offering me assistance; when you could expect no return; shall be repaid with my endeavours to soften or totally suppress Mr Flamborough's evidence; and I will send my son to him for that purpose the first opportunity; nor do I in the least doubt but he will comply with my request; and as to my evidence; you need be under no uneasiness about that。'

'Well; sit;' cried he; 'all the return I can make shall be yours。 You shall have more than half my bed…cloaths to night; and I'll take care to stand your friend in the prison; where I think I have some influence。'

I thanked him; and could not avoid being surprised at the present youthful change in his aspect; for at the time I had seen him before he appeared at least sixty。'Sir;' answered he; you are little acquainted with the world; I had at that time false hair; and have learnt the art of counterfeiting every age from seventeen to seventy。 Ah sir; had I but bestowed half the pains in learning a trade; that I have in learning to be a scoundrel; I might have been a rich man at this day。 But rogue as I am; still I may be your friend; and that perhaps when you least expect it。'

We were now prevented from further conversation; by the arrival of the gaoler's servants; who came to call over the prisoners names; and lock up for the night。 A fellow also; with a bundle of straw for my bed attended; who led me along a dark narrow passage into a room paved like the common prison; and in one corner of this I spread my bed; and the cloaths given me by my fellow prisoner; which done; my conductor; who was civil enough; bade me a good… night。 After my usual meditations; and having praised my heavenly corrector; I laid myself down and slept with the utmost tranquility till morning。



CHAPTER 26

A reformation in the gaol。 To make laws complete; they should reward as well as punish


The next morning early I was awakened by my family; whom I found in tears at my bed…side。 The gloomy strength of every thing about us; it seems; had daunted them。 I gently rebuked their sorrow; assuring them I had never slept with greater tranquility; and next enquired after my eldest daughter; who was not among them。 They informed me that yesterday's uneasiness and fatigue had encreased her fever; and it was judged proper to leave her behind。 My next care was to send my son to procure a room or two to lodge the family in; as near the prison as conveniently could be found。 He obeyed; but could only find one apartment; which was hired at a small expence; for his mother and sisters; the gaoler with humanity consenting to let him and his two little brothers lie in the prison with me。 A bed was therefore prepared for them in a corner of the room; which I thought answered very conveniently。 I was willing however previously to know whether my little children chose to lie in a place which seemed to fright them upon entrance。

'Well;' cried I; 'my good boys; how do you like your bed? I hope you are not afraid to lie in this room; dark as it appears。'

'No; papa;' says Dick; 'I am not afraid to lie any where where you are。'

'And I;' says Bill; who was yet but four years old; 'love every place best that my papa is in。'

After this; I allotted to each of the family what they were to do。 My daughter was particularly directed to watch her declining sister's health; my wife was to attend me; my little boys were to read to me: 'And as for you; my son;' continued I; 'it is by the labour of your hands we must all hope to be supported。 Your wages; as a day…labourer; will be full sufficient; with proper frugality; to maintain us all; and comfortably too。 Thou art now sixteen years old; and hast strength; and it was given thee; my son; for very useful purposes; for it must save from famine your helpless parents and family。 Prepare then this evening to look out for work against to…morrow; and bring home every night what money you earn; for our support。'

Having thus instructed him; and settled the rest; I walked down to the common prison; where I could enjoy more air and room。 But I was not long there when the execrations; lewdness; and brutality that invaded me on every side; drove me back to my apartment again。 Here I sate for some time; pondering upon the strange infatuation of wretches; who finding all mankind in open arms against them; were labouring to make themselves a future and a tremendous enemy。

Their insensibility excited my highest compassion; and blotted my own uneasiness from my mind。 It even appeared a duty incumbent upon me to attempt to reclaim them。 I resolved therefore once more to return; and in spite of their contempt to give them my advice; and conquer them by perseverance。 Going therefore among them again; I informed Mr Jenkinson of my design; at which he laughed heartily; but communicated it to the rest。 The proposal was received with the greatest good…humour; as it promised to afford a new fund of entertainment to persons who had now no other resource for mirth; but what could be derived from ridicule or debauchery。

I therefore read them a portion of the service with a loud unaffected voice; and found my audience perfectly merry upon the occasion。 Lewd whispers; groans of contrition burlesqued; winking and coughing; alternately excited laughter。 However; I continued with my natural solemnity to read on; se

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