The Adventures of Roderick Random

The Coachman’s Prank

While they stand debating their next move by the gutter, a hackney coachman notices them and calls out “A coach, master!” With dextrous reinsmanship, he makes his horses stumble in the wet, splashing mud over both travelers from head to foot. He drives on laughing heartily at the prank, and several passersby join in his amusement at their expense. One compassionate stranger advises them to go into an alehouse to dry themselves, advice they gratefully follow.

An Adventure in an Alehouse

Entering the suggested alehouse, they call for beer and clean themselves by the fire. A witty fellow at a nearby box, noting their Scottish accent, approaches with mock gravity and asks how long they have been caught, explaining that their “tail” has not yet been cut. He pulls Roderick’s hair and winks at the amused company. Roderick is incensed but afraid to resent this treatment, as the man is brawny and the place unfamiliar. Strap, however, confronts the man for his rudeness to his betters. The wit seizes Strap by the chin and shakes it, asking mockingly if his knapsack contains oatmeal or brimstone. Strap breaks free and boxes the man’s ear soundly, creating an audience for a fight. Roderick, heated with indignation, strips and declares he will fight the battle himself since the original affront was offered to him. The spectators approve, calling him a brave Scotch boy who shall have fair play. Roderick strikes his pale-looking adversary hard in the stomach, felling him over a bench. He attempts to pin him down Scottish style but is restrained by the crowd. The man pleads that he is not yet recovered from illness and refuses to continue. Roderick dresses, having won the good opinion of all for his bravery, and receives Strap’s congratulatory handshake.

Imposed Upon by a Footman

After drying their clothes and finishing their pot, they inquire of the landlord about Mr. Cringer, the member of parliament. The landlord denies knowing him, though the travelers imagined he would be conspicuous in London as in his borough. He suggests they might hear of him as they walk. Spotting a footman at a nearby door, they approach him for directions. Surveying them minutely, the footman claims to know Mr. Cringer well and gives elaborate instructions: turn down the first street on the left, then to the right, then to the left again, find a lane, pass through an alley, and locate the sign of the Thistle and Three Pedlars where he lodges. They thank him and proceed, Strap confidently trusting the man’s honest face and good manners. They follow the directions precisely—left, right, left—but instead of a lane, find themselves at the riverside, completely lost.

Set to Rights by a Tobacconist

Exhausted and perplexed, they seek refuge in a small snuff-shop nearby, attracted by the sign of the Highland. Roderick discovers the shopkeeper is a fellow Scot, which fills him with inexpressible satisfaction. Upon hearing of their misadventure and the footman’s directions, the tobacconist reveals they have been imposed upon and that Mr. Cringer actually lives in the other end of town, already departed for the House of Parliament. He writes a recommendation for them to an acquaintance who keeps a chandler’s shop near St. Martin’s Lane.

Taking Lodgings

Following the tobacconist’s letter, they take a room up two pair of stairs at a chandler’s shop, renting for two shillings per week. The room is so small that when the bed is let down, they must carry out every other piece of furniture and use the bedstead by way of chairs. At dinner time, their landlord asks how they propose to live, explaining there are two ways for people of their condition: the creditable but expensive dining houses frequented by well-dressed people, or “diving,” practiced by those who must live frugally. He assures them that many creditable, rich, even fine people dive every day, and has seen well-dressed gentlemen with laced waistcoats dine comfortably for three halfpenny before going to coffeehouses to make a figure with lords.