The Adventures of Roderick Random

Through Flanders

The narrator and Strap set out for England through Flanders, passing through Brussels, Ghent, and Bruges. They take shipping at Ostend.

Arrival in London

From Ostend, they arrive at Deal in fourteen hours, hire a postchaise, and reach London in twelve more hours, having sent their heavy baggage by waggon.

第四十五章

The narrator arrives in London and dispatches Strap to Wapping to find his Uncle Bowling, only to learn that his uncle has gone to sea as mate of a merchant ship, having failed to secure reinstatement at the Admiralty. He hires handsome lodgings near Charing Cross, attends the play where he behaves foolishly trying to attract attention and has a misadventure with a woman of ill-repute, and finally dines at an ordinary where he becomes acquainted with Medlar and Doctor Wagtail during heated political debates among a predominantly pro-French company.

Uncle’s Departure and Charing Cross Lodgings

Upon arriving at the inn, the narrator sends Strap to inquire for his uncle at the Union Flag in Wapping. Strap returns with news that Mr. Bowling has gone to sea as mate of a merchant ship, after a long and unsuccessful attendance at the Admiralty, where his interest was insufficient to reinstate him or recover the pay owed to him from the Thunder. The next day, the narrator hires very handsome lodgings not far from Charing Cross.

Playhouse Adventure and Improper Lady Encounter

In the evening, the narrator dresses in a plain suit of the true Paris cut and appears in a front box at the play, where he behaves with absurd coquetries—rising, sitting, displaying his watch, snuff-box, cane, and sword-knot—in hopes of obtaining the character of a pretty fellow, though he is checked by a natural reserve and jealous sensibility. After the play, he offers his services to a handsome genteelly dressed lady, sends Strap unsuccessfully for a chair, and escorts her to a tavern. There, he suspects her of being a courtesan, and when he kisses her, he is nearly suffocated by the steams of Geneva, confirming her character. She attempts to lure him to her home, claiming Sir John is abed, but he rebuffs her; she then pops her head from the coach and howls abuse at him for not paying the coach-hire. Strap, delighted at first, later compares her to a devil incarnate and a painted sepulchre, and the narrator resolves to shun such commerce in future.