The Adventures of Roderick Random

Dividing the Proceeds

Jackson looks at the money, says it is not enough for his needs, and tells the narrator he can take an extra half guinea or full guinea on top of the five shillings he kept as repayment. The narrator initially refuses, saying he has no way to repay the extra money, but Jackson calls him naive for refusing to borrow from a friend in need, says it is a sign of a weak spirit, and insists the narrator take the extra money. The narrator accepts, and Jackson offers to treat him to a play as thanks. The narrator returns to his lodgings with a much better opinion of Jackson than he had that morning.

Strap’s Romantic Ambitions

That night, the narrator tells Strap about his day’s events and the money he received from Jackson. Strap rejoices, and rambles about his own romantic ambitions, saying he once shaved a gentleman whose female companion gave him such adoring looks that his hand shook so much he cut the gentleman’s nose. He compares himself favorably to a journeyman baker who ran away with a wealthy lady and now keeps a coach, saying a barber is a more noble profession than a baker since the head is more important than the belly, and notes he can read, write, and speak Latin unlike the uneducated baker. The narrator teases Strap for his obvious vanity, and Strap insists his good fortune will come to light despite the narrator’s doubt.

CAPÍTULO XVII.

This chapter follows the narrator’s examination at Surgeons’ Hall, where he encounters the eccentric Mr. Jackson. After the examination, Jackson disguises himself to appear older and more respectable, only to be detected as an imposter. The narrator and Jackson then visit a tavern and subsequently a night-house, where Jackson loses his purse and all of them are arrested. They are committed to the round-house, where an arbitration settles the matter. Finally, they are taken before a justice, who initially threatens them severely before discovering the truth and releasing them.

The Examination at Surgeons’ Hall

The narrator arrives at Surgeons’ Hall for his examination with trembling fear. He encounters Mr. Jackson, who explains he is attempting to obtain his qualification as a backup plan while awaiting news from a romantic attachment. The narrator observes nervous candidates emerging from the examination, who gladly recount their experiences. When called before the examiners, the narrator faces Mr. Snarler, who berates him for his Scottish origins and short apprenticeship of only three years. A kind, corpulent gentleman intervenes and examines him on the trepan operation, appearing satisfied with his answers. A witty examiner then asks increasingly absurd questions about amputating a severed head and treating intestinal wounds, leading to a heated dispute between two examiners over medical authority and reason. The narrator receives his qualification, pays his fees, and leaves nearly penniless with only thirteen-pence halfpenny remaining.

Jackson’s Disguise and Detection

After the examination, Jackson has dramatically transformed his appearance. He now wears an old, disheveled wig, a slouched hat, a black crape neck decoration, and a shabby greatcoat. His white silk stockings have been replaced with black worsted hose, and he has painted wrinkles and a beard on his face to appear older and more respectable. He explains that this disguise was designed to attract respect through the appearance of age. However, during his examination, either his peculiar appearance excited excessive curiosity or his behavior did not match his assumed elderly demeanor. The examiners detect that he is an imposter, and he is led away as a prisoner to be sent to Bridewell. Jackson pleads with the narrator and others to witness his identity as John Jackson, former surgeon’s second mate on the HMS Elizabeth.

A Tavern and a Night-House

The narrator and his companions successfully plead Jackson’s cause with the beadle, who is mollified with a half-crown bribe. Jackson is released and, vowing to spend all his money since the examination board refused it, treats everyone to punch at a friend’s tavern. The drinking continues until about ten o’clock at night, when the narrator becomes intoxicated and demands female company. Jackson leads the group to a night-house, where his peculiar dress attracts the attention of several women to whom he treats arrack punch. When the bill arrives, amounting to twelve shillings, Jackson discovers his purse has been stolen.