Lavengro

"Well," said Frank, "and why did you not carry him a decent novel or a tale?"

"Because I have neither," said I; "and to write them is, I believe, above my capacity. At present I feel divested of all energy--heartless, and almost hopeless."

"I see how it is," said Francis Ardry, "you have overworked yourself, and, worst of all, to no purpose. Take my advice; cast all care aside, and only think of diverting yourself for a month at least."

"Divert myself," said I; "and where am I to find the means?"

"Be that care on my shoulders," said Francis Ardry. "Listen to me--my uncles have been so delighted with the favourable accounts which they have lately received from T--- of my progress in oratory, that, in the warmth of their hearts, they made me a present yesterday of two hundred pounds. This is more money than I want, at least for the present; do me the favour to take half of it as a loan--hear me," said he, observing that I was about to interrupt him; "I have a plan in my head--one of the prettiest in the world. The sister of my charmer is just arrived from France; she cannot speak a word of English; and, as Annette and myself are much engaged in our own matters, we cannot pay her the attention which we should wish, and which she deserves, for she is a truly fascinating creature, although somewhat differing from my charmer, having blue eyes and flaxen hair; whilst Annette, on the contrary... But I hope you will shortly see Annette. Now, my plan is this--Take the money, dress yourself fas.h.i.+onably, and conduct Annette's sister to Bagnigge Wells."

"And what should we do at Bagnigge Wells?"

"Do!" said Francis Ardry. "Dance!"

"But," said I, "I scarcely know anything of dancing."

"Then here's an

"I never heard a more foolish plan," said I, "or one less likely to terminate profitably or satisfactorily. I thank you, however, for your offer, which is, I dare say, well meant. If I am to escape from my cares and troubles, and find my mind refreshed and invigorated, I must adopt other means than conducting a French demoiselle to Brighton or Bagnigge Wells, defraying the expense by borrowing from a friend."

Footnotes:

{0a} p.r.o.nounced _Lav'en-gro_, not _Lav-en'gro_, the two first syllables exactly like those of _lavender_. Borrow meant it to stand for "word- master, philologist," but--_nomen omen_--already in Grellmann (1787) _latcho lavengro_ stood for "a liar."

{1a} On 5th July 1803, at East Dereham, Norfolk, 17 miles west-north- west of Norwich.

{1b} Captain Thomas Borrow (1758-1824), the youngest of a family of eight (three daughters and five sons).

{1c} Trethinnick, near St. Cleer.

{2} "In Cornwall are the best gentlemen."--_Corn. Prov._ (B.)

{4a} Earl of Orford. Borrow's father rose from private to sergeant in the Coldstream Guards, and, pa.s.sing in 1792 to the West Norfolk Militia, was six years later promoted adjutant with the rank of captain (Knapp, i.

7-16).

{4b} Dereham.

{4c} Ann Perfrement (1772-1858). They married in 1793 (Knapp, i. 16- 26).

{7} John Thomas Borrow (1800-1833), ensign and lieutenant in his father's regiment, art student under Old Crome and Benjamin Haydon, and from 1826 a mining agent in Mexico.

{19} Norwegian ells--about eight feet. (B.)

{22} Dereham.

{31a} Charles Hyde Wollaston (1772-1850), vicar from 1806--my mother's uncle.

{31b} James Philo (1745-1829), an old soldier, for fifty years parish clerk.

{33} In 1810.

{37} Whittlesea Mere. In 1786 it measured 3.5 miles from east to west by 2.5 miles, and it was drained in 1850-51.

{44} Much such a man, perhaps a descendant, travelled East Anglia about 1866. He used to visit schools to exhibit his snakes.

{48} Better _bengesko_ or _beng's_, devil's.

{50} _Tiny tawny_ is not Romany. _Tarno_ means "small" or "young."

{52} _Sap_, snake; _sapengro_, snake-charmer.

{65} Berwick-upon-Tweed. Its walls are not lofty.

{69a} In 1813.

{69b} South-western.

{71} Borrow and his brother seem to have been at the High School in March 1814, probably only for the one winter session. James Pillans was rector, and the four under-masters were William Ritchie, Aglionby Ross Carson (Borrow's), George Irvine, James Gray.

{72} William Bowie; probably from Gaelic _buidhe_, yellow, and so not Norse at all.

{75} Northern.

{79} David Haggart (1801-21), thief, was born and hanged at Edinburgh.

He enlisted as a drummer in July 1813, and killed a Dumfries turnkey in 1820. His curious _Autobiography_ is written largely in thieves' cant.

{82a} Northern.

{82b} Perhaps two hundred feet.

{88} Fifteen months.

{89a} Harwich.

{89b} Cork Harbour.

{90} Cork.

{93} Clonmel.

{98} Elzevirs are not generally huge.

{104} In Tipperary county, twenty miles north of Clonmel. In 1816.

{131} Norwich.