The Adventures of Roderick Random

Life as a Gentleman in Paris

Equipped and attended by Strap as his valet, Random plays the gentleman of figure about Paris. He visits the Louvre and the Luxembourg gallery, goes to Versailles where he has the honour of seeing the Most Christian King eat a considerable quantity of olives, and during the month frequents the court, the Italian comedy, the opera, the playhouse, and a masquerade.

Journey from Paris to London

Leaving Paris, Random and Strap set out for England by way of Flanders. They pass through Brussels, Ghent, and Bruges, take ship at Ostend, and in fourteen hours arrive at Deal. Hiring a postchaise, they reach London twelve hours later, having disposed of their heavy baggage in the waggon.

第四十四章

This chapter continues the memoir’s account of military service, the reunion with the faithful friend Strap, a dramatic change in fortune, and the journey back to England through France and Flanders.

Learning the Science of Defence

Following his defeat by the old Gascon soldier, the narrator seeks revenge by learning the art of fencing. An Irish drummer offers to teach him, motivated partly by jealousy over the Frenchman’s alleged correspondence with his wife. The narrator accepts and practices diligently, soon believing himself ready to face his conqueror once more.

Joining Marshal Noailles

The regiment marches and arrives at the camp of Marshal the Duc de Noailles the night before the Battle of Dettingen, though the soldiers are exhausted from their fatigue.

The Engagement at Dettingen

The narrator describes how the French forces under the Duc de Grammont take position to block the Allies in a narrow defile, where they would have been forced to surrender from lack of provisions. Lord Stair, though having a reputation as a good general, is overruled and acts in an inferior capacity. Against all expectations, Grammont abandons his advantageous position to attack the English, who are drawn up in order of battle on the plain.