Category: Adventure

Lavengro: The Scholar, The Gypsy, The Priest

Pretty D-----The venerable church--The stricken 17-26 heart--Dormant energies--The small packet--Nerves--The books--A picture--Mountain-like billows--The footprint--Spirit of De Foe--Reasoning powers--Terrors of God--Heads of the dragons--High-Church clerk--A journey--My fathe...

Chapters

180. Chapter 180

'Yes; those who should be the guardians of the religion of England are about to grant Papists emancipation, and to remove the disabilities from Dissenters, which will allow the...

171. Chapter 171

FREE AND INDEPENDENT--I DON'T SEE WHY--OATS--A NOISE--UNWELCOME VISITORS--WHAT'S THE MATTER?--GOOD-DAY TO YE--THE TALL GIRL--DOVREFELD--BLOW ON THE FACE--CIVIL ENOUGH--WHAT'S TH...

186. Chapter 186

'The day after our arrival,' continued the postilion, 'I was sent, under the guidance of a lackey of the place, with a letter, which the priest, when he left, had given us for a...

154. Chapter 154

ELASTIC STEP--DISCONSOLATE PARTY--NOT THE SEASON--MEND YOUR DRAUGHT--GOOD ALE--CROTCHET--HAMMER AND TONGS--SCHOOLMASTER--TRUE EDEN LIFE--FLAMING TINMAN--TWICE MY SIZE--HARD AT W...

157. Chapter 157

FRIEND OF SLINGSBY--ALL QUIET--DANGER--THE TWO CAKES--CHILDREN IN THE WOOD--DON'T BE ANGRY--IN DEEP THOUGHT--TEMPLES THROBBING--DEADLY SICK--ANOTHER BLOW--NO ANSWER--HOW OLD ARE...

150. Chapter 150

I found the stranger awaiting me at the door of the inn. 'Like yourself, I am fond of walking,' said he, 'and when any little business calls me to this place I generally come on...

162. Chapter 162

'Where was I, young man? Oh, I remember, at the fatal passage which removed all hope. I will not dwell on what I felt. I closed my eyes, and wished that I might be dreaming; but...

187. Chapter 187

'We arrived in England, and went to our country seat, but the peace and tranquillity of the family had been marred, and I no longer found my place the pleasant one which it had...

91. Chapter 91

One day it happened that, being on my rambles, I entered a green lane which I had never seen before; at first it was rather narrow, but as I advanced it became considerably wide...

185. Chapter 185

when something of Shakespeare's was being performed: some one in the first tier of boxes was applauding very loudly. "That's my fool of a governor," said he; "he is weak enough...

167. Chapter 167

'I am lost in astonishment,' said I; whereupon Mr. Petulengro, lifting his sinister leg over the neck of his steed, and adjusting himself sideways in the saddle, replied, with g...

89. Chapter 89

PRETTY D-----THE VENERABLE CHURCH--THE STRICKEN HEART--DORMANT ENERGIES--THE SMALL PACKET--NERVES--THE BOOKS--A PICTURE--MOUNTAIN-LIKE BILLOWS--THE FOOTPRINT--SPIRIT OF DE FOE--...

174. Chapter 174

The individual whom I supposed to be a Radical, after a short pause, again uplifted his voice; he was rather a strong-built fellow of about thirty, with an ill-favoured countena...

87. Chapter 87

'As I read over the lives of these robbers and _Frontispiece_ pickpockets, strange doubts began to arise in my mind about virtue and crime' 'Fool, indeed! . . . or I'll forfeit...

100. Chapter 100

From the wild scenes which I have attempted to describe in the latter pages I must now transport the reader to others of a widely different character. He must suppose himself no...

153. Chapter 153

During the greater part of that night my slumbers were disturbed by strange dreams. Amongst other things, I fancied that I was my host; my head appeared to be teeming with wild...

98. Chapter 98

One morning I set out, designing to pay a visit to my brother at the place where he was detached; the distance was rather considerable, yet I hoped to be back by evening fall, f...

93. Chapter 93

It was not long before we found ourselves at Edinburgh, or rather in the Castle, into which the regiment marched with drums beating, colours flying, and a long train of baggage-...

183. Chapter 183

It might be about ten o'clock at night. Belle, the postilion, and myself, sat just within the tent, by a fire of charcoal which I had kindled in the chafing-pan. The man had rem...

109. Chapter 109

It might be some six months after the events last recorded, that two individuals were seated together in a certain room, in a certain street of the old town which I have so freq...

139. Chapter 139

Presently a man emerged from the tent, bearing before him a rather singular table; it appeared to be of white deal, was exceedingly small at the top, and with very long legs. At...

90. Chapter 90

And a strange place it was, this Norman Cross, and, at the time of which I am speaking, a sad cross to many a Norman, being what was then styled a French prison, that is, a rece...

108. Chapter 108

But to proceed with my own story: I now ceased all at once to take much pleasure in the pursuits which formerly interested me, I yawned over Ab Gwilym, even as I now in my mind'...

159. Chapter 159

I slept soundly during that night, partly owing to the influence of the opiate. Early in the morning I was awakened by the voices of Peter and his wife, who were singing a morni...

92. Chapter 92

Years passed on, even three years; during this period I had increased considerably in stature and in strength, and, let us hope, improved in mind; for I had entered on the study...

155. Chapter 155

It was two or three hours past noon when I took my departure from the place of the last adventure, walking by the side of my little cart; the pony, invigorated by the corn, to w...

105. Chapter 105

It has been said by this or that writer, I scarcely know by whom, that, in proportion as we grow old, and our time becomes short, the swifter does it pass, until at last, as we...

112. Chapter 112

How for everything there is a time and a season, and then how does the glory of a thing pass from it, even like the flower of the grass. This is a truism, but it is one of those...

181. Chapter 181

Nearly three days elapsed without anything of particular moment occurring. Belle drove the little cart containing her merchandise about the neighbourhood, returning to the dingl...

113. Chapter 113

My father, as I have already informed the reader, had been endowed by nature with great corporeal strength; indeed, I have been assured that, at the period of his prime, his fig...

111. Chapter 111

There was one question which I was continually asking myself at this period, and which has more than once met the eyes of the reader who has followed me through the last chapter...

176. Chapter 176

The man in black and myself stood opposite to each other for a minute or two in silence; I will not say that we confronted each other that time, for the man in black, after a fu...

103. Chapter 103

We went to the farthest of the tents, which stood at a slight distance from the rest, and which exactly resembled the one which I have described on a former occasion; we went in...

161. Chapter 161

'My father was a member of the Church of England, and was what is generally called a serious man. He went to church regularly, and read the Bible every Sunday evening; in his mo...

165. Chapter 165

On the morrow I said to my friends, 'I am about to depart; farewell!' 'Depart!' said Peter and his wife, simultaneously; 'whither wouldst thou go?' 'I can't stay here all my day...

116. Chapter 116

There were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; it was a small study, surrounded with bookcases, the window looking out upon the square. Of these individuals...

99. Chapter 99

And it came to pass that, as I was standing by the door of the barrack stable, one of the grooms came out to me, saying, 'I say, young gentleman, I wish you would give the cob a...

110. Chapter 110

Such were the words shouted out to me by a short thick fellow, in brown top-boots, and bareheaded, who stood, with his hands in his pockets, at the door of a country alehouse as...

95. Chapter 95

Onward, onward! and after we had sojourned in Scotland nearly two years, the long continental war had been brought to an end, Napoleon was humbled for a time, and the Bourbons r...

88. Chapter 88

I have been a wanderer the greater part of my life; indeed I remember only two periods, and these by no means lengthy, when I was, strictly speaking, stationary. I was a soldier...

117. Chapter 117

So I set out on my walk to see the wonders of the big city, and, as chance would have it, I directed my course to the east. The day, as I have already said, had become very fine...

152. Chapter 152

'Yes,' said my host, sighing, 'my name is so and so, and I am the author of so and so; it is more than probable that you have heard both of my name and works. I will not detain...

156. Chapter 156

I passed the greater part of the day in endeavouring to teach myself the mysteries of my new profession. I cannot say that I was very successful, but the time passed agreeably,...

170. Chapter 170

Heaviness had suddenly come over me, heaviness of heart, and of body also. I had accomplished the task which I had imposed upon myself, and now that nothing more remained to do,...

178. Chapter 178

Amongst other excursions, I went several times to the public-house to which I introduced the reader in a former chapter. I had experienced such beneficial effects from the ale I...

101. Chapter 101

So I studied French and Italian under the tuition of the banished priest, to whose house I went regularly every evening to receive instruction. I made considerable progress in t...

182. Chapter 182

I listened attentively, but I could hear nothing but the loud clashing of branches, the pattering of rain, and the muttered growl of thunder. I was about to tell Belle that she...

125. Chapter 125

And now once more to my pursuits, to my Lives and Trials. However partial at first I might be to these lives and trials, it was not long before they became regular trials to me,...

130. Chapter 130

It was past midwinter, and I sat on London Bridge, in company with the old apple-woman: she has just returned to the other side of the bridge, to her place in the booth where I...

107. Chapter 107

The eldest son! The regard and affection which my father entertained for his first-born were natural enough, and appeared to none more so than myself, who cherished the same fee...

122. Chapter 122

I compiled the Chronicles of Newgate; I reviewed books for the Review established on an entirely new principle; and I occasionally tried my best to translate into German portion...

158. Chapter 158

The oil, which the strangers compelled me to take, produced the desired effect, though, during at least two hours, it was very doubtful whether or not my life would be saved. At...

102. Chapter 102

I have already had occasion to mention this castle. It is the remains of what was once a Norman stronghold, and is perched upon a round mound or monticle, in the midst of the ol...

118. Chapter 118

'Tanner!' said I musingly, as I left the bridge; 'Tanner! what can the man who cures raw skins by means of a preparation of oak bark and other materials have to do with the name...

133. Chapter 133

Just as I was about to reply to the interrogation of my new-formed acquaintance, a man with a dusky countenance, probably one of the Lascars, or Mulattos, of whom the old woman...

148. Chapter 148

And in the old city I remained two days, passing my time as I best could--inspecting the curiosities of the place, eating and drinking when I so felt disposed, which I frequentl...

128. Chapter 128

Occasionally I called on Francis Ardry. This young gentleman resided in handsome apartments in the neighbourhood of a fashionable square, kept a livery servant, and, upon the wh...

97. Chapter 97

When Christmas was over, and the new year commenced, we broke up our quarters, and marched away to Templemore. This was a large military station, situated in a wild and thinly i...

149. Chapter 149

'Young gentleman,' said the huge fat landlord, 'you are come at the right time; dinner will be taken up in a few minutes, and such a dinner,' he continued, rubbing his hands, 'a...

175. Chapter 175

The public-house where the scenes which I have attempted to describe in the preceding chapters took place, was at the distance of about two miles from the dingle. The sun was si...

131. Chapter 131

In pursuance of my promise to the old woman, I set about procuring her a Bible with all convenient speed, placing the book which she had entrusted to me for the purpose of excha...

121. Chapter 121

One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house. As it is necessary that the reader should know somethi...

172. Chapter 172

In the evening of that same day the tall girl and I sat at tea by the fire, at the bottom of the dingle; the girl on a small stool, and myself, as usual, upon my stone.

119. Chapter 119

On the Sunday I was punctual to my appointment to dine with the publisher. As I hurried along the square in which his house stood, my thoughts were fixed so intently on the grea...

94. Chapter 94

Meanwhile I had become a daring cragsman, a character to which an English lad has seldom opportunities of aspiring; for in England there are neither crags nor mountains. Of thes...

123. Chapter 123

One morning I arose somewhat later than usual, having been occupied during the greater part of the night with my literary toil. On descending from my chamber into the sitting-ro...

137. Chapter 137

One morning on getting up I discovered that my whole worldly wealth was reduced to one half-crown--throughout that day I walked about in considerable distress of mind; it was no...

138. Chapter 138

Leaving the house of the Armenian, I strolled about for some time; almost mechanically my feet conducted me to London Bridge, to the booth in which stood the stall of the old ap...

96. Chapter 96

We continued at this place for some months, during which time the soldiers performed their duties, whatever they were; and I, having no duties to perform, was sent to school. I...

151. Chapter 151

After a short pause my host resumed his narration. 'Though I was never sent to school, my education was not neglected on that account; I had tutors in various branches of knowle...

184. Chapter 184

'I am a poor postilion, as you see; yet, as I have seen a thing or two and heard a thing or two of what is going on in the world, perhaps what I have to tell you connected with...

169. Chapter 169

It has always struck me that there is something highly poetical about a forge. I am not singular in this opinion: various individuals have assured me that they can never pass by...

160. Chapter 160

Peter and his wife did not proceed on any expedition during the following day. The former strolled gloomily about the fields, and the latter passed many hours in the farmhouse....

115. Chapter 115

Such were the first words which greeted my ears, one damp misty morning in March, as I dismounted from the top of a coach in the yard of a London inn.

104. Chapter 104

So the gypsies departed; Mrs. Herne to Yorkshire, and the rest to London: as for myself, I continued in the house of my parents, passing my time in much the same manner as I hav...

106. Chapter 106

'I am afraid that I have not acted very wisely in putting this boy of ours to the law,' said my father to my mother, as they sat together one summer evening in their little gard...

140. Chapter 140

And as I wandered along the green, I drew near to a place where several men, with a cask beside them, sat carousing in the neighbourhood of a small tent. 'Here he comes,' said o...

124. Chapter 124

The painter of the heroic resided a great way off, at the western end of the town. We had some difficulty in obtaining admission to him; a maid-servant, who opened the door, eye...

134. Chapter 134

Anxious thoughts frequently disturbed me at this time with respect to what I was to do, and how support myself in the Great City. My future prospects were gloomy enough, and I l...

132. Chapter 132

A few days after the occurrence of what is recorded in the last chapter, as I was wandering in the City, chance directed my footsteps to an alley leading from one narrow street...

146. Chapter 146

After standing still, a minute or two, considering what I should do, I moved down what appeared to be the street of a small straggling town; presently I passed by a church, whic...

163. Chapter 163

'And so I still say,' said Winifred, sobbing. 'Let us retire to rest, dear husband; your fears are groundless. I had hoped long since that your affliction would have passed away...

141. Chapter 141

Thereupon taking some of the bread, and eating it, I considered what I was to do. 'I have no idea what I am to do,' said I, as I stretched my hand towards the pitcher, 'unless (...

143. Chapter 143

On arriving at the bookseller's shop, I cast a nervous look at the window, for the purpose of observing whether the paper had been removed or not. To my great delight the paper...

127. Chapter 127

Time passed away, and with it the Review, which, contrary to the publisher's expectation, did not prove a successful speculation. About four months after the period of its birth...

126. Chapter 126

So I went to London Bridge, and again took my station on the spot by the booth where I had stood on the former occasion. The booth, however, was empty; neither the apple-woman n...

136. Chapter 136

The fulfilment of the Armenian's grand wish was nearer at hand than either he or I had anticipated. Partly owing to the success of a bold speculation, in which he had some time...

145. Chapter 145

In about two hours I had cleared the Great City, and got beyond the suburban villages, or rather towns, in the direction in which I was travelling; I was in a broad and excellen...

135. Chapter 135

The Armenian! I frequently saw this individual, availing myself of the permission which he had given me to call upon him. A truly singular personage was he, with his love of ama...

144. Chapter 144

I had long ago determined to leave London as soon as the means should be in my power, and, now that they were, I determined to leave the Great City, yet I felt some reluctance t...

168. Chapter 168

And when I heard Mr. Petulengro talk in this manner, which I had never heard him do before, and which I can only account for by his being fasting and ill-tempered, I had of cour...

142. Chapter 142

Rather late in the morning I awoke; for a few minutes I lay still, perfectly still; my imagination was considerably sobered; the scenes and situations which had pleased me so mu...

164. Chapter 164

Before I sank to rest I heard Winifred and her husband conversing in the place where I had left them; both their voices were low and calm. I soon fell asleep, and slumbered for...

179. Chapter 179

One evening Belle and myself received another visit from the man in black. After a little conversation of not much importance, I asked him whether he would not take some refresh...

120. Chapter 120

At the period to which I have brought my history, I bethought me of the proverbs with which I have headed this chapter, and determined to act up to their spirit. I determined no...

114. Chapter 114

'Far and wide,' said my brother; 'but I can't tell you anything now, I must go to my father. It was only by chance that I heard of his illness.'

177. Chapter 177

Time passed on, and Belle and I lived in the dingle; when I say lived, the reader must not imagine that we were always there. She went out upon her pursuits, and I went out wher...

166. Chapter 166

'Because it is neither fit nor proper that I cross into Wales at this time, and in this manner. When I go into Wales, I should wish to go in a new suit of superfine black, with...

129. Chapter 129

By the month of October I had, in spite of all difficulties and obstacles, accomplished about two-thirds of the principal task which I had undertaken, the compiling of the Newga...

173. Chapter 173

I sat down on a bench behind a deal table, of which there were three or four in the kitchen; presently a bulky man, in a green coat of the Newmarket cut, and without a hat, ente...

147. Chapter 147

Leaving the shepherd, I bent my way in the direction pointed out by him as that in which the most remarkable of the strange remains of which he had spoken lay. I proceeded rapid...

65. Chapter 65

Friend of Slingsby--All quiet--Danger--The two 443-454 cakes--Children in the wood--Don't be angry--In deep thought--Temples throbbing--Deadly sick--Another blow--No answer--How...

62. Chapter 62

Elastic step--Disconsolate party--Not the season--Mend 415-426 your draught--Good ale--Crotchet--Hammer and tongs--Schoolmaster--True Eden life--Flaming Tinman--Twice my size--H...

75. Chapter 75

Free and independent--I don't see why--Oats--A 532-544 noise--Unwelcome visitors--What's the matter?--Good-day to ye--The tall girl--Dovrefeld--Blow on the face--Civil enough--W...

3. Chapter 3

Pretty D-----The venerable church--The stricken 17-26 heart--Dormant energies--The small packet--Nerves--The books--A picture--Mountain-like billows--The footprint--Spirit of De...

14. Chapter 14

A fine old city--Norman master-work--Lollards' Hole--Good 102-110 blood--The Spaniard's sword--Old retired officer--Writing to a duke--God help the child--Nothing like Jacob--Ir...

61. Chapter 61

Disturbed slumbers--The bed-post--Two wizards--What can I 405-414 do?--Real library--The Rev. Mr. Platitude--Toleration to Dissenters--Paradox--Sword of St. Peter--Enemy to humb...

77. Chapter 77

A Radical--Simple-looking man--Church of England--The 552-561 President--Aristocracy--Gin and water--Mending the roads--Persecuting Church--Simon de Montfort--Broken bells--Get...

27. Chapter 27

86. Chapter 86

4. Chapter 4

21. Chapter 21

85. Chapter 85

17. Chapter 17

81. Chapter 81

70. Chapter 70

6. Chapter 6

7. Chapter 7

50. Chapter 50

72. Chapter 72

5. Chapter 5

12. Chapter 12

13. Chapter 13

19. Chapter 19

23. Chapter 23

24. Chapter 24

26. Chapter 26

84. Chapter 84

15. Chapter 15

22. Chapter 22

59. Chapter 59

63. Chapter 63

56. Chapter 56

58. Chapter 58

67. Chapter 67

83. Chapter 83

1. Chapter 1

16. Chapter 16

25. Chapter 25

29. Chapter 29

40. Chapter 40

79. Chapter 79

18. Chapter 18

35. Chapter 35

36. Chapter 36

37. Chapter 37

42. Chapter 42

57. Chapter 57

69. Chapter 69

74. Chapter 74

78. Chapter 78

41. Chapter 41

44. Chapter 44

82. Chapter 82

2. Chapter 2

10. Chapter 10

49. Chapter 49

60. Chapter 60

32. Chapter 32

38. Chapter 38

64. Chapter 64

76. Chapter 76

11. Chapter 11

30. Chapter 30

33. Chapter 33

34. Chapter 34

39. Chapter 39

43. Chapter 43

71. Chapter 71

48. Chapter 48

54. Chapter 54

66. Chapter 66

68. Chapter 68

9. Chapter 9

31. Chapter 31

51. Chapter 51

52. Chapter 52

80. Chapter 80

8. Chapter 8

20. Chapter 20

28. Chapter 28

45. Chapter 45

46. Chapter 46

47. Chapter 47

53. Chapter 53

55. Chapter 55

73. Chapter 73