Thereader,however,willreadilyconceivethattheymusthaveaprodigioussuperiorityoverthepebblesandsand,whichwecallgoldandpreciousstones。
TwentybeautifulyoungvirginsinwaitingreceivedCandideandCacamboontheiralightingfromthecoach,conductedthemtothebathandcladtheminrobeswovenofthedownofhummingbirds;afterwhichtheywereintroducedbythegreatofficersofthecrownofbothsexestotheKing’sapartment,betweentwofilesofmusicians,eachfileconsistingofathousand,agreeabletothecustomofthecountry。
Whentheydrewneartothepresence-chamber,CacamboaskedoneoftheofficersinwhatmannertheyweretopaytheirobeisancetoHisMajesty;
whetheritwasthecustomtofallupontheirknees,ortoprostratethemselvesupontheground;whethertheyweretoputtheirhandsupontheirheads,orbehindtheirbacks;whethertheyweretolickthedustoffthefloor;inshort,whatwastheceremonyusualonsuchoccasions。
"Thecustom",saidthegreatofficer,"istoembracetheKingandkisshimoneachcheek。"
CandideandCacamboaccordinglythrewtheirarmsroundHisMajesty’sneck,whoreceivedtheminthemostgraciousmannerimaginable,andverypolitelyaskedthemtosupwithhim。
Whilesupperwaspreparing,ordersweregiventoshowthemthecity,wheretheysawpublicstructuresthatrearedtheirloftyheadstotheclouds;
themarketplacesdecoratedwithathousandcolumns;fountainsofspringwater,besidesothersofrosewater,andofliquorsdrawnfromthesugarcane,incessantlyflowinginthegreatsquares,whichwerepavedwithakindofpreciousstonesthatemittedanodorlikethatofclovesandcinnamon。
CandideaskedtoseetheHighCourtofjustice,theParliament;
butwasansweredthattheyhadnoneinthatcountry,beingutterstrangerstolawsuits。Hetheninquirediftheyhadanyprisons;theyrepliednone。ButwhatgavehimatoncethegreatestsurpriseandpleasurewasthePalaceofSciences,wherehesawagallerytwothousandfeetlong,filledwiththevariousapparatusinmathematicsandnaturalphilosophy。
Afterhavingspentthewholeafternooninseeingonlyaboutthethousandthpartofthecity,theywerebroughtbacktotheKing’spalace。CandidesatdownatthetablewithHisMajesty,hisvaletCacambo,andseveralladiesofthecourt。Neverwasentertainmentmoreelegant,norcouldanyonepossiblyshowmorewitthanHisMajestydisplayedwhiletheywereatsupper。CacamboexplainedalltheKing’sbonsmotstoCandide,and,althoughtheyweretranslated,theystillappearedtobebonsmots。OfallthethingsthatsurprisedCandide,thiswasnottheleast。
Theyspentawholemonthinthishospitableplace,duringwhichtimeCandidewascontinuallysayingtoCacambo,"Iown,myfriend,oncemore,thatthecastlewhereIwasbornisamerenothingincomparisontotheplacewherewenoware;butstillMissCunegondeisnothere,andyouyourselfhavedoubtlesssomefaironeinEuropeforwhomyousigh。Ifweremainhereweshallonlybeasothersare;whereasifwereturntoourownworldwithonlyadozenofElDoradosheep,loadedwiththepebblesofthiscountry,weshallbericherthanallthekingsinEurope;
weshallnolongerneedtostandinaweoftheInquisitors;andwemayeasilyrecoverMissCunegonde。"
ThisspeechwasperfectlyagreeabletoCacambo。Afondnessforroving,formakingafigureintheirowncountry,andforboastingofwhattheyhadseenintheirtravels,wassopowerfulinourtwowanderersthattheyresolvedtobenolongerhappy;anddemandedpermissionoftheKingtoquitthecountry。
"Youareabouttodoarashandsillyaction",saidtheKing。"Iamsensiblemykingdomisaninconsiderablespot;butwhenpeoplearetolerablyattheireaseinanyplace,Ishouldthinkitwouldbetotheirinteresttoremainthere。
Mostassuredly,Ihavenorighttodetainyou,oranystrangers,againstyourwills;thisisanactoftyrannytowhichourmannersandourlawsareequallyrepugnant。Allmenarebynaturefree;youhavethereforeanundoubtedlibertytodepartwheneveryouplease,butyouwillhavemanyandgreatdifficultiestoencounterinpassingthefrontiers。
Itisimpossibletoascendthatrapidriverwhichrunsunderhighandvaultedrocks,andbywhichyouwereconveyedhitherbyakindofmiracle。Themountainsbywhichmykingdomarehemmedinonallsides,aretenthousandfeethigh,andperfectlyperpendicular;theyareabovetenleaguesacross,andthedescentfromthemisonecontinuedprecipice。
"However,sinceyouaredeterminedtoleaveus,Iwillimmediatelygiveorderstothesuperintendentofmycarriagestocauseonetobemadethatwillconveyyouverysafely。Whentheyhaveconductedyoutothebackofthemountains,nobodycanattendyoufarther;formysubjectshavemadeavownevertoquitthekingdom,andtheyaretooprudenttobreakit。Askmewhateverelseyouplease。"
"AllweshallaskofYourMajesty",saidCacambo,"isonlyafewsheepladenwithprovisions,pebbles,andtheclayofyourcountry。"
TheKingsmiledattherequestandsaid,"IcannotimaginewhatpleasureyouEuropeansfindinouryellowclay;buttakeawayasmuchofitasyouwill,andmuchgoodmayitdoyou。"
Heimmediatelygaveorderstohisengineerstomakeamachinetohoistthesetwoextraordinarymenoutofthekingdom。Threethousandgoodmachinistswenttoworkandfinisheditinaboutfifteendays,anditdidnotcostmorethantwentymillionssterlingofthatcountry’smoney。CandideandCacambowereplacedonthismachine,andtheytookwiththemtwolargeredsheep,bridledandsaddled,torideupon,whentheygotontheothersideofthemountains;twentyotherstoserveassumptersforcarryingprovisions;thirtyladenwithpresentsofwhateverwasmostcuriousinthecountry,andfiftywithgold,diamonds,andotherpreciousstones。TheKing,atpartingwithourtwoadventurers,embracedthemwiththegreatestcordiality。
Itwasacurioussighttobeholdthemanneroftheirsettingoff,andtheingeniousmethodbywhichtheyandtheirsheepwerehoistedtothetopofthemountains。Themachinistsandengineerstookleaveofthemassoonastheyhadconveyedthemtoaplaceofsafety,andCandidewaswhollyoccupiedwiththethoughtsofpresentinghissheeptoMissCunegonde。
"Now",criedhe,"thankstoHeaven,wehavemorethansufficienttopaytheGovernorofBuenosAyresforMissCunegonde,ifsheisredeemable。LetusmakethebestofourwaytoCayenne,wherewewilltakeshippingandthenwemayatleisurethinkofwhatkingdomweshallpurchasewithourriches。"
chapter19CHAPTERXIX
WHATHAPPENEDTOTHEMATSURINAM,ANDHOW
CANDIDEBECAMEACQUAINTED
WITHMARTIN
Ourtravelers’firstday’sjourneywasverypleasant;
theywereelatedwiththeprospectofpossessingmorerichesthanweretobefoundinEurope,Asia,andAfricatogether。Candide,inamoroustransports,cutthenameofMissCunegondeonalmosteverytreehecameto。Theseconddaytwooftheirsheepsunkinamorass,andwereswallowedupwiththeirJading;twomorediedoffatigue;somefewdaysafterwardssevenoreightperishedwithhungerinadesert,andothers,atdifferenttimes,tumbleddownprecipices,orwereotherwiselost,sothat,aftertravelingaboutahundreddaystheyhadonlytwosheepleftofthehundredandtwotheybroughtwiththemfromElDorado。
SaidCandidetoCacambo,"Yousee,mydearfriend,howperishabletherichesofthisworldare;thereisnothingsolidbutvirtue。"
"Verytrue",saidCacambo,"butwehavestilltwosheepremaining,withmoretreasurethanevertheKingofSpainwillbepossessedof;andIespyatownatadistance,whichItaketobeSurinam,atownbelongingtotheDutch。Wearenowattheendofourtroubles,andatthebeginningofhappiness。"
AstheydrewnearthetowntheysawaNegrostretchedonthegroundwithonlyonehalfofhishabit,whichwasakindoflinenfrock;forthepoormanhadlosthisleftlegandhisrighthand。
"GoodGod",saidCandideinDutch,"whatdostthouhere,friend,inthisdeplorablecondition?"
"Iamwaitingformymaster,MynheerVanderdendur,thefamoustrader",answeredtheNegro。
"WasitMynheerVanderdendurthatusedyouinthiscruelmanner?"
"Yes,sir",saidtheNegro;"itisthecustomhere。Theygivealinengarmenttwiceayear,andthatisallourcovering。Whenwelaborinthesugarworks,andthemillhappenstosnatchholdofafinger,theyinstantlychopoffourhand;andwhenweattempttorunaway,theycutoffaleg。Boththesecaseshavehappenedtome,anditisatthisexpensethatyoueatsugarinEurope;andyetwhenmymothersoldmefortenpatacoonsonthecoastofGuinea,shesaidtome,’Mydearchild,blessourfetishes;
adorethemforever;theywillmaketheelivehappy;thouhastthehonortobeaslavetoourlordsthewhites,bywhichthouwiltmakethefortuneofusthyparents。’
"Alas!IknownotwhetherIhavemadetheirfortunes;buttheyhavenotmademine;dogs,monkeys,andparrotsareathousandtimeslesswretchedthanI。TheDutchfetisheswhoconvertedmetellmeeverySundaythattheblacksandwhitesareallchildrenofonefather,whomtheycallAdam。Asforme,Idonotunderstandanythingofgenealogies;
butifwhatthesepreacherssayistrue,weareallsecondcousins;
andyoumustallowthatitisimpossibletobeworsetreatedbyourrelationsthanweare。"
"OPangloss!"criedoutCandide,"suchhorriddoingsneverenteredthyimagination。Hereisanendofthematter。Ifindmyself,afterall,obligedtorenouncethyOptimism。"
"Optimism",saidCacambo,"whatisthat?"
"Alas!"repliedCandide,"itistheobstinacyofmaintainingthateverythingisbestwhenitisworst。"
AndsosayingheturnedhiseyestowardsthepoorNegro,andshedafloodoftears;andinthisweepingmoodheenteredthetownofSurinam。
ImmediatelyupontheirarrivalourtravelersinquirediftherewasanyvesselintheharborwhichtheymightsendtoBuenosAyres。ThepersontheyaddressedthemselvestohappenedtobethemasterofaSpanishbark,whoofferedtoagreewiththemonmoderateterms,andappointedthemameetingatapublichouse。ThitherCandideandhisfaithfulCacambowenttowaitforhim,takingwiththemtheirtwosheep。
Candide,whowasallfranknessandsincerity,madeaningenuousrecitalofhisadventurestotheSpaniard,declaringtohimatthesametimehisresolutionofcarryingoffMissCunegondefromtheGovernorofBuenosAyres。
"Oh,ho!"saidtheshipmaster,"ifthatisthecase,getwhomyoupleasetocarryyoutoBuenosAyres;formypart,Iwashmyhandsoftheaffair。Itwouldproveahangingmattertousall。ThefairCunegondeistheGovernor’sfavoritemistress。"
ThesewordswerelikeaclapofthundertoCandide;heweptbitterlyforalongtime,and,takingCacamboaside,hesaidtohim,"I’lltellyou,mydearfriend,whatyoumustdo。Wehaveeachofusinourpocketstothevalueoffiveorsixmillionsindiamonds;youareclevereratthesemattersthanI;youmustgotoBuenosAyresandbringoffMissCunegonde。
IftheGovernormakesanydifficultygivehimamillion;ifheholdsout,givehimtwo;asyouhavenotkilledanInquisitor,theywillhavenosuspicionofyou。I’llfitoutanothershipandgotoVenice,whereIwillwaitforyou。
Veniceisafreecountry,whereweshallhavenothingtofearfromBulgarians,Abares,JewsorInquisitors。"
Cacambogreatlyapplaudedthiswiseresolution。Hewasinconsolableatthethoughtsofpartingwithsogoodamaster,whotreatedhimmorelikeanintimatefriendthanaservant;butthepleasureofbeingabletodohimaservicesoongotthebetterofhissorrow。Theyembracedeachotherwithafloodoftears。Candidechargedhimnottoforgettheoldwoman。Cacambosetoutthesameday。ThisCacambowasaveryhonestfellow。
CandidecontinuedsomedayslongeratSurinam,waitingforanycaptaintocarryhimandhistworemainingsheeptoItaly。Hehireddomestics,andpurchasedmanythingsnecessaryforalongvoyage;atlengthMynheerVanderdendur,skipperofalargeDutchvessel,cameandofferedhisservice。
"Whatwillyouhave",saidCandide,"tocarryme,myservants,mybaggage,andthesetwosheepyouseehere,directlytoVenice?"
Theskipperaskedtenthousandpiastres,andCandideagreedtohisdemandwithouthestitation。
"Ho,ho!"saidthecunningVanderdendurtohimself,"thisstrangermustbeveryrich;heagreestogivemetenthousandpiastreswithouthesitation。"
Returningalittlewhileafter,hetoldCandidethatuponsecondconsiderationhecouldnotundertakethevoyageforlessthantwentythousand。
"Verywell;youshallhavethem",saidCandide。
"Zounds!"saidtheskippertohimself,"thismanagreestopaytwentythousandpiastreswithasmucheaseasten。"
Accordinglyhewentbackagain,andtoldhimroundlythathewouldnotcarryhimtoVeniceforlessthanthirtythousandpiastres。
"Thenyoushallhavethirtythousand",saidCandide。
"Odso!"saidtheDutchmanoncemoretohimself,"thirtythousandpiastresseematrifletothisman。Thosesheepmustcertainlybeladenwithanimmensetreasure。I’lle’enstophereandasknomore;
butmakehimpaydownthethirtythousandpiastres,andthenwemayseewhatistobedonefarther。"
Candidesoldtwosmalldiamonds,theleastofwhichwasworthmorethanalltheskipperasked。Hepaidhimbeforehand,thetwosheepwereputonboard,andCandidefollowedinasmallboattojointhevesselintheroad。
Theskippertookadvantageofhisopportunity,hoistedsail,andputouttoseawithafavorablewind。Candide,confoundedandamazed,soonlostsightoftheship。
"Alas!"saidhe,"thisisatricklikethoseinouroldworld!"
Hereturnedbacktotheshoreoverwhelmedwithgrief;and,indeed,hehadlostwhatwouldhavemadethefortuneoftwentymonarchs。
StraightwayuponhislandingheappliedtotheDutchmagistrate;
beingtransportedwithpassionhethunderedatthedoor,whichbeingopened,hewentin,toldhiscase,andtalkedalittlelouderthanwasnecessary。Themagistratebeganwithfininghimtenthousandpiastresforhispetulance,andthenlistenedverypatientlytowhathehadtosay,promisedtoexamineintotheaffairontheskipper’sreturn,andorderedhimtopaytenthousandpiastresmoreforthefeesofthecourt。
ThistreatmentputCandideoutofallpatience;itistrue,hehadsufferedmisfortunesathousandtimesmoregrievous,butthecoolinsolenceofthejudge,andthevillainyoftheskipperraisedhischolerandthrewhimintoadeepmelancholy。Thevillainyofmankindpresenteditselftohismindinallitsdeformity,andhissoulwasapreytothemostgloomyideas。Aftersometime,hearingthatthecaptainofaFrenchshipwasreadytosetsailforBordeaux,ashehadnomoresheeploadedwithdiamondstoputonboard,hehiredthecabinattheusualprice;andmadeitknowninthetownthathewouldpaythepassageandboardofanyhonestmanwhowouldgivehimhiscompanyduringthevoyage;besidesmakinghimapresentoftenthousandpiastres,onconditionthatsuchpersonwasthemostdissatisfiedwithhiscondition,andthemostunfortunateinthewholeprovince。
Uponthisthereappearedsuchacrowdofcandidatesthatalargefleetcouldnothavecontainedthem。Candide,willingtochoosefromamongthosewhoappearedmostlikelytoanswerhisintention,selectedtwenty,whoseemedtohimthemostsociable,andwhoallpretendedtomeritthepreference。Heinvitedthemtohisinn,andpromisedtotreatthemwithasupper,onconditionthateverymanshouldbindhimselfbyanoathtorelatehisownhistory;declaringatthesametime,thathewouldmakechoiceofthatpersonwhoshouldappeartohimthemostdeservingofcompassion,andthemostjustlydissatisfiedwithhisconditioninlife;andthathewouldmakeapresenttotherest。
Thisextraordinaryassemblycontinuedsittingtillfourinthemorning。
Candide,whilehewaslisteningtotheiradventures,calledtomindwhattheoldwomanhadsaidtohimintheirvoyagetoBuenosAyres,andthewagershehadlaidthattherewasnotapersononboardtheshipbuthadmetwithgreatmisfortunes。EverystoryheheardputhiminmindofPangloss。
"Myoldmaster",saidhe,"wouldbeconfoundedlyputtoittodemonstratehisfavoritesystem。Wouldhewerehere!Certainlyifeverythingisforthebest,itisinElDorado,andnotintheotherpartsoftheworld。"
Atlengthhedeterminedinfavorofapoorscholar,whohadlaboredtenyearsforthebooksellersatAmsterdam:beingofopinionthatnoemploymentcouldbemoredetestable。
Thisscholar,whowasinfactaveryhonestman,hadbeenrobbedbyhiswife,beatenbyhisson,andforsakenbyhisdaughter,whohadrunawaywithaPortuguese。Hehadbeenlikewisedeprivedofasmallemploymentonwhichhesubsisted,andhewaspersecutedbytheclergyofSurinam,whotookhimforaSocinian。Itmustbeacknowledgedthattheothercompetitorswere,atleast,aswretchedashe;butCandidewasinhopesthatthecompanyofamanofletterswouldrelievethetediousnessofthevoyage。AlltheothercandidatescomplainedthatCandidehaddonethemgreatinjustice,buthestoppedtheirmouthsbyapresentofahundredpiastrestoeach。
chapter20CHAPTERXX
WHATBEFELLCANDIDEANDMARTIN
ONTHEIR
PASSAGE
Theoldphilosopher,whosenamewasMartin,tookshippingwithCandideforBordeaux。Bothhadseenandsufferedagreatdeal,andhadtheshipbeengoingfromSurinamtoJapanroundtheCapeofGoodHope,theycouldhavefoundsufficiententertainmentforeachotherduringthewholevoyage,indiscoursinguponmoralandnaturalevil。
Candide,however,hadoneadvantageoverMartin:helivedinthepleasinghopesofseeingMissCunegondeoncemore;whereas,thepoorphilosopherhadnothingtohopefor。Besides,Candidehadmoneyandjewels,and,notwithstandinghehadlostahundredredsheepladenwiththegreatesttreasureoutsideofElDorado,andthoughhestillsmartedfromthereflectionoftheDutchskipper’sknavery,yetwhenheconsideredwhathehadstillleft,andrepeatedthenameofCunegonde,especiallyaftermealtimes,heinclinedtoPangloss’sdoctrine。
"Andpray",saidhetoMartin,"whatisyouropinionofthewholeofthissystem?Whatnotionhaveyouofmoralandnaturalevil?"
"Sir",repliedMartin,"ourpriestaccusedmeofbeingaSocinian;buttherealtruthis,IamaManichaean。"
"Nay,nowyouarejesting",saidCandide;"therearenoManichaeansexistingatpresentintheworld。"
"AndyetIamone",saidMartin;"butIcannothelpit。
Icannotforthesoulofmethinkotherwise。"
"SurelytheDevilmustbeinyou",saidCandide。
"Heconcernshimselfsomuch",repliedMartin,"intheaffairsofthisworldthatitisveryprobablehemaybeinmeaswellaseverywhereelse;butI
mustconfess,whenIcastmyeyeonthisglobe,orratherglobule,IcannothelpthinkingthatGodhasabandonedittosomemalignantbeing。IalwaysexceptElDorado。Iscarceeverknewacitythatdidnotwishthedestructionofitsneighboringcity;norafamilythatdidnotdesiretoexterminatesomeotherfamily。Thepoorinallpartsoftheworldbearaninveteratehatredtotherich,evenwhiletheycreepandcringetothem;andtherichtreatthepoorlikesheep,whosewoolandfleshtheybarterformoney;amillionofregimentedassassinstraverseEuropefromoneendtotheother,togettheirbreadbyregulardepredationandmurder,becauseitisthemostgentlemanlikeprofession。Eveninthosecitieswhichseemtoenjoytheblessingsofpeace,andwheretheartsflourish,theinhabitantsaredevouredwithenvy,care,andinquietudes,whicharegreaterplaguesthananyexperiencedinatownbesieged。Privatechagrinsarestillmoredreadfulthanpubliccalamities。Inaword",concludedthephilosopher,"IhaveseenandsufferedsomuchthatIamaManichaean。"
"Andyetthereissomegoodintheworld",repliedCandide。
"Maybeso",saidMartin,"butithasescapedmyknowledge。"
Whiletheyweredeeplyengagedinthisdisputetheyheardthereportofcannon,whichredoubledeverymoment。Eachtookouthisglass,andtheyspiedtwoshipswarmlyengagedatthedistanceofaboutthreemiles。ThewindbroughtthembothsoneartheFrenchshipthatthoseonboardherhadthepleasureofseeingthefightwithgreatease。
Afterseveralsmartbroadsidestheonegavetheotherashotbetweenwindandwaterwhichsunkheroutright。ThencouldCandideandMartinplainlyperceiveahundredmenonthedeckofthevesselwhichwassinking,who,withhandsupliftedtoHeaven,sentforthpiercingcries,andwereinamomentswallowedupbythewaves。
"Well",saidMartin,"younowseeinwhatmannermankindtreatoneanother。"
"Itiscertain",saidCandide,"thatthereissomethingdiabolicalinthisaffair。"Ashewasspeakingthushespiedsomethingofashiningredhue,whichswamclosetothevessel。Theboatwashoistedouttoseewhatitmightbe,whenitprovedtobeoneofhissheep。Candidefeltmorejoyattherecoveryofthisoneanimalthanhedidgriefwhenhelosttheotherhundred,thoughladenwiththelargediamondsofElDorado。
TheFrenchcaptainquicklyperceivedthatthevictoriousshipbelongedtothecrownofSpain;thattheotherwasaDutchpirate,andtheverysamecaptainwhohadrobbedCandide。Theimmensericheswhichthisvillainhadamassed,wereburiedwithhiminthedeep,andonlythisonesheepsavedoutofthewhole。
"Yousee",saidCandidetoMartin,"thatviceissometimespunished。Thisvillain,theDutchskipper,hasmetwiththefatehedeserved。"
"Verytrue",saidMartin,"butwhyshouldthepassengersbedoomedalsotodestruction?Godhaspunishedtheknave,andtheDevilhasdrownedtherest。"
TheFrenchandSpanishshipscontinuedtheircruise,andCandideandMartintheirconversation。Theydisputedfourteendayssuccessively,attheendofwhichtheywerejustasfaradvancedasthefirstmomenttheybegan。However,theyhadthesatisfactionofdisputing,ofcommunicatingtheirideas,andofmutuallycomfortingeachother。Candideembracedhissheepwithtransport。
"SinceIhavefoundtheeagain",saidhe,"ImaypossiblyfindmyCunegondeoncemore。"
chapter21CHAPTERXXI
CANDIDEANDMARTIN,WHILETHUSREASONINGWITH
EACHOTHER,DRAWNEARTOTHECOASTOFFRANCE
AtlengththeydescriedthecoastofFrance,whenCandidesaidtoMartin,"PrayMonsieurMartin,wereyoueverinFrance?"
"Yes,sir",saidMartin,"Ihavebeeninseveralprovincesofthatkingdom。Insome,onehalfofthepeoplearefoolsandmadmen;insome,theyaretooartful;inothers,again,theyare,ingeneral,eitherverygood-naturedorverybrutal;whileinothers,theyaffecttobewitty,andinall,theirrulingpassionislove,thenextisslander,andthelastistotalknonsense。"
"But,pray,MonsieurMartin,wereyoueverinParis?"
"Yes,sir,Ihavebeeninthatcity,anditisaplacethatcontainstheseveralspeciesjustdescribed;itisachaos,aconfusedmultitude,whereeveryoneseeksforpleasurewithoutbeingabletofindit;atleast,asfarasIhaveobservedduringmyshortstayinthatcity。AtmyarrivalIwasrobbedofallI
hadintheworldbypickpocketsandsharpers,atthefairofSaint-Germain。I
wastakenupmyselfforarobber,andconfinedinprisonawholeweek;
afterwhichIhiredmyselfascorrectortoapressinordertogetalittlemoneytowardsdefrayingmyexpensesbacktoHollandonfoot。Iknewthewholetribeofscribblers,malcontents,andfanatics。
Itissaidthepeopleofthatcityareverypolite;Ibelievetheymaybe。"
"Formypart,IhavenocuriositytoseeFrance",saidCandide。"Youmayeasilyconceive,myfriend,thatafterspendingamonthinElDorado,IcandesiretobeholdnothinguponearthbutMissCunegonde。
IamgoingtowaitforheratVenice。IintendtopassthroughFrance,onmywaytoItaly。Willyounotbearmecompany?"
"Withallmyheart",saidMartin。"TheysayVeniceisagreeabletononebutnobleVenetians,butthat,nevertheless,strangersarewellreceivedtherewhentheyhaveplentyofmoney;nowIhavenone,butyouhave,thereforeI
willattendyouwhereveryouplease。"
"Nowweareuponthissubject",saidCandide,"doyouthinkthattheearthwasoriginallysea,aswereadinthatgreatbookwhichbelongstothecaptainoftheship?"
"Ibelievenothingofit",repliedMartin,"anymorethanIdoofthemanyotherchimeraswhichhavebeenrelatedtousforsometimepast。"
"Butthen,towhatend",saidCandide,"wastheworldformed?"
"Tomakeusmad",saidMartin。
"Areyounotsurprised",continuedCandide,"atthelovewhichthetwogirlsinthecountryoftheOreillonshadforthosetwomonkeys?-
YouknowI
havetoldyouthestory。"
"Surprised?"repliedMartin,"notintheleast。Iseenothingstrangeinthispassion。Ihaveseensomanyextraordinarythingsthatthereisnothingextraordinarytomenow。"
"Doyouthink",saidCandide,"thatmankindalwaysmassacredoneanotherastheydonow?Weretheyalwaysguiltyoflies,fraud,treachery,ingratitude,inconstancy,envy,ambition,andcruelty?
Weretheyalwaysthieves,fools,cowards,gluttons,drunkards,misers,calumniators,debauchees,fanatics,andhypocrites?"
"Doyoubelieve",saidMartin,"thathawkshavealwaysbeenaccustomedtoeatpigeonswhentheycameintheirway?"
"Doubtless",saidCandide。
"Wellthen",repliedMartin,"ifhawkshavealwayshadthesamenature,whyshouldyoupretendthatmankindchangetheirs?"
"Oh",saidCandide,"thereisagreatdealofdifference;
forfreewill-"andreasoningthustheyarrivedatBordeaux。
chapter22CHAPTERXXII
WHATHAPPENEDTOCANDIDE
ANDMARTININ
FRANCE
CandidestayednolongeratBordeauxthanwasnecessarytodisposeofafewofthepebbleshehadbroughtfromElDorado,andtoprovidehimselfwithapost-chaisefortwopersons,forhecouldnolongerstirastepwithouthisphilosopherMartin。Theonlythingthatgivehimconcernwasbeingobligedtoleavehissheepbehindhim,whichheintrustedtothecareoftheAcademyofSciencesatBordeaux,whoproposed,asaprizesubjectfortheyear,toprovewhythewoolofthissheepwasred;
andtheprizewasadjudgedtoanorthernsage,whodemonstratedbyAplusB,minusC,dividedbyZ,thatthesheepmustnecessarilybered,anddieofthemange。
Inthemeantime,alltravelerswhomCandidemetwithintheinns,orontheroad,toldhimtoaman,thattheyweregoingtoParis。
Thisgeneraleagernessgavehimlikewiseagreatdesiretoseethiscapital;anditwasnotmuchoutofhiswaytoVenice。
HeenteredthecitybythesuburbsofSaint-Marceau,andthoughthimselfinoneofthevilesthamletsinallWestphalia。
Candidehadnotbeenlongathisinn,beforehewasseizedwithaslightdisorder,owingtothefatiguehehadundergone。Asheworeadiamondofanenormoussizeonhisfingerandhadamongtherestofhisequipageastrongboxthatseemedveryweighty,hesoonfoundhimselfbetweentwophysicians,whomhehadnotsentfor,anumberofintimatefriendswhomhehadneverseen,andwhowouldnotquithisbedside,andtwowomendevotees,whowereverycarefulinprovidinghimhotbroths。
"Iremember",saidMartintohim,"thatthefirsttimeIcametoParisIwaslikewisetakenill。Iwasverypoor,andaccordinglyI
hadneitherfriends,nurses,norphysicians,andyetIdidverywell。"
However,bydintofpurgingandbleeding,Candide’sdisorderbecameveryserious。Thepriestoftheparishcamewithallimaginablepolitenesstodesireanoteofhim,payabletothebearerintheotherworld。Candiderefusedtocomplywithhisrequest;butthetwodevoteesassuredhimthatitwasanewfashion。Candidereplied,thathewasnotonethatfollowedthefashion。Martinwasforthrowingthepriestoutofthewindow。TheclerksworeCandideshouldnothaveChristianburial。Martinsworeinhisturnthathewouldburytheclerkaliveifhecontinuedtoplaguethemanylonger。Thedisputegrewwarm;Martintookhimbytheshouldersandturnedhimoutoftheroom,whichgavegreatscandal,andoccasionedaproces-verbal。
Candiderecovered,andtillhewasinaconditiontogoabroadhadagreatdealofgoodcompanytopasstheeveningswithhiminhischamber。Theyplayeddeep。Candidewassurprisedtofindhecouldneverturnatrick;andMartinwasnotatallsurprisedatthematter。
AmongthosewhodidhimthehonorsoftheplacewasalittlespruceabbeofPerigord,oneofthoseinsinuating,busy,fawning,impudent,necessaryfellows,thatlaywaitforstrangersontheirarrival,tellthemallthescandalofthetown,andoffertoministertotheirpleasuresatvariousprices。ThismanconductedCandideandMartintotheplayhouse;theywereactinganewtragedy。Candidefoundhimselfplacednearaclusterofwits:this,however,didnotpreventhimfromsheddingtearsatsomepartsofthepiecewhichweremostaffecting,andbestacted。
Oneofthesetalkerssaidtohimbetweenacts,"Youaregreatlytoblametoshedtears;thatactressplayshorribly,andthemanthatplayswithherstillworse,andthepieceitselfisstillmoreexecrablethantherepresentation。
TheauthordoesnotunderstandawordofArabic,andyethehaslaidhissceneinArabia,andwhatismore,heisafellowwhodoesnotbelieveininnateideas。TomorrowIwillbringyouascoreofpamphletsthathavebeenwrittenagainsthim。"
"Pray,sir",saidCandidetotheabbe,"howmanytheatricalpieceshaveyouinFrance?"
"Fiveorsixthousand",repliedtheabbe。
"Indeed!thatisagreatnumber",saidCandide,"buthowmanygoodonesmaytherebe?"
"Aboutfifteenorsixteen。"
"Oh!thatisagreatnumber",saidMartin。
Candidewasgreatlytakenwithanactress,whoperformedthepartofQueenElizabethinadullkindoftragedythatisplayedsometimes。
"Thatactress",saidhetoMartin,"pleasesmegreatly;
shehassomesortofresemblancetoMissCunegonde。Ishouldbeverygladtopaymyrespectstoher。"
TheabbeofPerigordofferedhisservicetointroducehimtoheratherownhouse。Candide,whowasbroughtupinGermany,desiredtoknowwhatmightbetheceremonialusedonthoseoccasions,andhowaqueenofEnglandwastreatedinFrance。
"Thereisanecessarydistinctiontobeobservedinthesematters",saidtheabbe。"Inacountrytownwetakethemtoatavern;hereinParis,theyaretreatedwithgreatrespectduringtheirlifetime,providedtheyarehandsome,andwhentheydiewethrowtheirbodiesuponadunghill。"
"How?"saidCandide,"throwaqueen’sbodyuponadunghill!"
"Thegentlemanisquiteright",saidMartin,"hetellsyounothingbutthetruth。IhappenedtobeatPariswhenMissMonimiamadeherexit,asonemaysay,outofthisworldintoanother。Shewasrefusedwhattheycallheretheritesofsepulture;thatistosay,shewasdeniedtheprivilegeofrottinginachurchyardbythesideofallthebeggarsintheparish。
TheyburiedheratthecornerofBurgundyStreet,whichmustcertainlyhaveshockedherextremely,asshehadveryexaltednotionsofthings。"
"Thisisactingveryimpolitely",saidCandide。
"Lord!"saidMartin,"whatcanbesaidtoit?Itisthewayofthesepeople。
Figuretoyourselfallthecontradictions,alltheinconsistenciespossible,andyoumaymeetwiththeminthegovernment,thecourtsofjustice,thechurches,andthepublicspectaclesofthisoddnation。"
"Isittrue",saidCandide,"thatthepeopleofParisarealwayslaughing?"
"Yes",repliedtheabbe,"butitiswithangerintheirhearts;theyexpressalltheircomplaintsbyloudburstsoflaughter,andcommitthemostdetestablecrimeswithasmileontheirfaces。"
"Whowasthatgreatovergrownbeast",saidCandide,"whospokesoilltomeofthepiecewithwhichIwassomuchaffected,andoftheplayerswhogavemesomuchpleasure?"
"Averygood-for-nothingsortofamanIassureyou",answeredtheabbe,"onewhogetshislivelihoodbyabusingeverynewbookandplaythatiswrittenorperformed;hedislikesmuchtoseeanyonemeetwithsuccess,likeeunuchs,whodetesteveryonethatpossessesthosepowerstheyaredeprivedof;heisoneofthosevipersinliteraturewhonourishthemselveswiththeirownvenom;apamphlet-monger。"
"Apamphlet-manger!"saidCandide,"whatisthat?"
"Why,apamphlet-manger",repliedtheabbe,"isawriterofpamphlets-afool。"
Candide,Martin,andtheabbeofPerigordarguedthusonthestaircase,whiletheystoodtoseethepeoplegooutoftheplayhouse。
"ThoughIamveryanxioustoseeMissCunegondeagain",saidCandide,"yetIhaveagreatinclinationtosupwithMissClairon,forIamreallymuchtakenwithher。"
Theabbewasnotapersontoshowhisfaceatthislady’shouse,whichwasfrequentedbynonebutthebestcompany。
"Sheisengagedthisevening",saidhe,"butIwilldomyselfthehonortointroduceyoutoaladyofqualityofmyacquaintance,atwhosehouseyouwillseeasmuchofthemannersofParisasifyouhadlivedhereforfortyyears。"
Candide,whowasnaturallycurious,sufferedhimselftobeconductedtothislady’shouse,whichwasinthesuburbsofSaint-Honore。
Thecompanywasengagedatbasser;twelvemelancholypuntersheldeachinhishandasmallpackofcards,thecornersofwhichweredoubleddown,andweresomanyregistersoftheirillfortune。Aprofoundsilencereignedthroughouttheassembly,apalliddreadhadtakenpossessionofthecountenancesofthepunters,andrestlessinquietudestretchedeverymuscleofthefaceofhimwhokeptthebank;andtheladyofthehouse,whowasseatednexttohim,observedwithlynx’seyeseveryplaymade,andnotedthosewhotallied,andmadethemundoubletheircardswithasevereexactness,thoughmixedwithapoliteness,whichshethoughtnecessarynottofrightenawayhercustomers。ThisladyassumedthetitleofMarchionessofParolignac。Herdaughter,agirlofaboutfifteenyearsofage,wasoneofthepunters,andtookcaretogivehermammaahint,bysigns,whenanyoneoftheplayersattemptedtorepairtherigoroftheirillfortunebyalittleinnocentdeception。
ThecompanywerethusoccupiedwhenCandide,Martin,andtheabbemadetheirentrance;notacreaturerosetosalutethem,orindeedtooktheleastnoticeofthem,beingwhollyintentuponthebusinessathand。
"Ah!"saidCandide,"MyLadyBaronessofThunder-ten-tronckhwouldhavebehavedmorecivilly。"
However,theabbewhisperedintheearoftheMarchioness,whohalfraisingherselffromherseat,honoredCandidewithagracioussmile,andgaveMartinanodofherhead,withanairofinexpressibledignity。ShethenorderedaseatforCandide,anddesiredhimtomakeoneoftheirpartyatplay;hedidso,andinafewdealslostnearathousandpieces;afterwhichtheysuppedveryelegantly,andeveryonewassurprisedatseeingCandidelosesomuchmoneywithoutappearingtobetheleastdisturbedatit。Theservantsinwaitingsaidtoeachother,"ThisiscertainlysomeEnglishlord。"
ThesupperwaslikemostothersofitskindinParis。Atfirsteveryonewassilent;thenfollowedafewconfusedmurmurs,andafterwardsseveralinsipidjokespassedandrepassed,withfalsereports,falsereasonings,alittlepolitics,andagreatdealofscandal。Theconversationthenturneduponthenewproductionsinliterature。
"Pray",saidtheabbe,"goodfolks,haveyouseentheromancewrittenbyacertainGauchat,DoctorofDivinity?"
"Yes",answeredoneofthecompany,"butIhadnotpatiencetogothroughit。Thetownispesteredwithaswarmofimpertinentproductions,butthisofDr。Gauchat’soutdoesthemall。Inshort,IwassocursedlytiredofreadingthisvilestuffthatIevenresolvedtocomehere,andmakeapartyatbasset。"
"ButwhatsayyoutothearchdeaconT-’smiscellaneouscollection",saidtheabbe。
"OhmyGod!"criedtheMarchionessofParolignac,"nevermentionthetediouscreature!Onlythinkwhatpainsheisattotellonethingsthatalltheworldknows;andhowhelaborsanargumentthatishardlyworththeslightestconsideration!howabsurdlyhemakesuseofotherpeople’swit!
howmiserablyhemangleswhathehaspilferedfromthem!
Themanmakesmequitesick!Afewpagesofthegoodarchdeaconareenoughinconsciencetosatisfyanyone。"
Therewasatthetableapersonoflearningandtaste,whosupportedwhattheMarchionesshadadvanced。Theynextbegantotalkoftragedies。Theladydesiredtoknowhowitcameaboutthattherewereseveraltragedies,whichstillcontinuedtobeplayed,thoughtheywouldnotbearreading?Themanoftasteexplainedveryclearlyhowapiecemaybeinsomemannerinterestingwithouthavingagrainofmerit。Heshowed,inafewwords,thatitisnotsufficienttothrowtogetherafewincidentsthataretobemetwithineveryromance,andthattodazzlethespectatorthethoughtsshouldbenew,withoutbeingfarfetched;frequentlysublime,butalwaysnatural;theauthorshouldhaveathoroughknowledgeofthehumanheartandmakeitspeakproperly;heshouldbeacompletepoet,withoutshowinganaffectationofitinanyofthecharactersofhispiece;heshouldbeaperfectmasterofhislanguage,speakitwithallitspurity,andwiththeutmostharmony,andyetsoasnottomakethesenseaslavetotherhyme。
"Whoever",addedhe,"neglectsanyoneoftheserules,thoughhemaywritetwoorthreetragedieswithtolerablesuccess,willneverbereckonedinthenumberofgoodauthors。Thereareveryfewgoodtragedies;
someareidylls,inverywell-writtenandharmoniousdialogue;
andothersachainofpoliticalreasoningsthatsetoneasleep,orelsepompousandhigh-flownamplification,thatdisgustratherthanplease。Othersagainaretheravingsofamadman,inanuncouthstyle,unmeaningflights,orlongapostrophestothedeities,forwantofknowinghowtoaddressmankind;
inawordacollectionoffalsemaximsanddullcommonplace。"
Candidelistenedtothisdiscoursewithgreatattention,andconceivedahighopinionofthepersonwhodeliveredit;andastheMarchionesshadtakencaretoplacehimnearherside,hetookthelibertytowhisperhersoftlyintheearandaskwhothispersonwasthatspokesowell。
"Heisamanofletters",repliedHerLadyship,"whoneverplays,andwhomtheabbebringswithhimtomyhousesometimestospendanevening。Heisagreatjudgeofwriting,especiallyintragedy;hehascomposedonehimself,whichwasdamned,andhaswrittenabookthatwasneverseenoutofhisbookseller’sshop,exceptingonlyonecopy,whichhesentmewithadedication,towhichhehadprefixedmyname。"
"Ohthegreatman",criedCandide,"heisasecondPangloss。"
Thenturningtowardshim,"Sir",saidhe,"youaredoubtlessofopinionthateverythingisforthebestinthephysicalandmoralworld,andthatnothingcouldbeotherwisethanitis?"
"I,sir!"repliedthemanofletters,"Ithinknosuchthing,Iassureyou;Ifindthatallinthisworldissetthewrongenduppermost。
Nooneknowswhatishisrank,hisoffice,norwhathedoes,norwhatheshoulddo。Withtheexceptionofourevenings,whichwegenerallypasstolerablymerrily,therestofourtimeisspentinidledisputesandquarrels,JansenistsagainstMolinists,theParliamentagainsttheChurch,andonearmedbodyofmenagainstanother;courtieragainstcourtier,husbandagainstwife,andrelationsagainstrelations。Inshort,thisworldisnothingbutonecontinuedsceneofcivilwar。"
"Yes",saidCandide,"andIhaveseenworsethanallthat;
andyetalearnedman,whohadthemisfortunetobehanged,taughtmethateverythingwasmarvelouslywell,andthattheseevilsyouarespeakingofwereonlysomanyshadesinabeautifulpicture。"
"Yourhempensage",saidMartin,"laughedatyou;theseshades,asyoucallthem,aremosthorribleblemishes。"
"Themenmaketheseblemishes",rejoinedCandide,"andtheycannotdootherwise。"
"Thenitisnottheirfault",addedMartin。
Thegreatestpartofthegamesters,whodidnotunderstandasyllableofthisdiscourse,amusedthemselveswithdrinking,whileMartinreasonedwiththelearnedgentlemanandCandideentertainedtheladyofthehousewithapartofhisadventures。
AftersuppertheMarchionessconductedCandideintoherdressingroom,andmadehimsitdownunderacanopy。
"Well",saidshe,"areyoustillsoviolentlyfondofMissCunegondeofThunder-ten-tronckh?"
"Yes,madam",repliedCandide。
TheMarchionesssaidtohimwithatendersmile,"YouanswermelikeayoungmanborninWestphalia;aFrenchmanwouldhavesaid,’Itistrue,madam,IhadagreatpassionforMissCunegonde;butsinceIhaveseenyou,IfearIcannolongerloveherasIdid。’"
"Alas!madam",repliedCandide,"Iwillmakeyouwhatansweryouplease。"
"Youfellinlovewithher,Ifind,instoopingtopickupherhandkerchiefwhichshehaddropped;youshallpickupmygarter。"
"Withallmyheart,madam",saidCandide,andhepickeditup。
"Butyoumusttieitonagain",saidthelady。
Candidetieditonagain。
"Lookye,youngman",saidtheMarchioness,"youareastranger;ImakesomeofmylovershereinParislanguishformeawholefortnight;butI
surrendertoyouatfirstsight,becauseIamwillingtodothehonorsofmycountrytoayoungWestphalian。"
Thefaironehavingcasthereyeontwoverylargediamondsthatwereupontheyoungstranger’sfinger,praisedtheminsoearnestamannerthattheywereinaninstanttransferredfromhisfingertohers。
AsCandidewasgoinghomewiththeabbehefeltsomequalmsofconscienceforhavingbeenguiltyofinfidelitytoMissCunegonde。Theabbetookpartwithhiminhisuneasiness;hehadbutaninconsiderableshareinthethousandpiecesCandidehadlostatplay,andthetwodiamondswhichhadbeeninamannerextortedfromhim;andthereforeveryprudentlydesignedtomakethemosthecouldofhisnewacquaintance,whichchancehadthrowninhisway。HetalkedmuchofMissCunegonde,andCandideassuredhimthathewouldheartilyaskpardonofthatfaironeforhisinfidelitytoher,whenhesawheratVenice。
TheabberedoubledhiscivilitiesandseemedtointeresthimselfwarmlyineverythingthatCandidesaid,did,orseemedinclinedtodo。
"Andso,sir,youhaveanengagementatVenice?"
"Yes,Monsieurl’Abbe",answeredCandide,"ImustabsolutelywaituponMissCunegonde",andthenthepleasurehetookintalkingabouttheobjectheloved,ledhiminsensiblytorelate,accordingtocustom,partofhisadventureswiththatillustriousWestphalianbeauty。
"Ifancy",saidtheabbe,"MissCunegondehasagreatdealofwit,andthatherlettersmustbeveryentertaining。"
"Ineverreceivedanyfromher",saidCandide;"foryouaretoconsiderthat,beingexpelledfromthecastleuponheraccount,Icouldnotwritetoher,especiallyassoonaftermydepartureIheardshewasdead;butthankGodIfoundafterwardsshewasliving。Ileftheragainafterthis,andnowIhavesentamessengertoherneartwothousandleaguesfromhere,andwaithereforhisreturnwithananswerfromher。"
Theartfulabbeletnotawordofallthisescapehim,thoughheseemedtobemusinguponsomethingelse。Hesoontookhisleaveofthetwoadventurers,afterhavingembracedthemwiththegreatestcordiality。
Thenextmorning,almostassoonashiseyeswereopen,Candidereceivedthefollowingbillet:
"MyDearestLover-Ihavebeenillinthiscitytheseeightdays。Ihaveheardofyourarrival,andshouldflytoyourarmswereIabletostir。IwasinformedofyourbeingonthewayhitheratBordeaux,whereIleftthefaithfulCacambo,andtheoldwoman,whowillsoonfollowme。TheGovernorofBuenosAyreshastakeneverythingfrommebutyourheart,whichIstillretain。Cometomeimmediatelyonthereceiptofthis。Yourpresencewilleithergivemenewlife,orkillmewiththepleasure。"
Atthereceiptofthischarming,thisunexpectedletter,Candidefelttheutmosttransportsofjoy;though,ontheotherhand,theindispositionofhisbelovedMissCunegondeoverwhelmedhimwithgrief。Distractedbetweenthesetwopassionshetookhisgoldandhisdiamonds,andprocuredapersontoconducthimandMartintothehousewhereMissCunegondelodged。Uponenteringtheroomhefelthislimbstremble,hisheartflutter,histonguefalter;heattemptedtoundrawthecurtain,andcalledforalighttothebedside。
"Lordsir",criedamaidservant,whowaswaitingintheroom,"takecarewhatyoudo,Misscannotbeartheleastlight",andsosayingshepulledthecurtaincloseagain。
"Cunegonde!mydearcriedCandide,bathedintears,"howdoyoudo?Ifyoucannotbearthelight,speaktomeatleast。"
"Alas!shecannotspeak",saidthemaid。
ThesickladythenputaplumphandoutofthebedandCandidefirstbatheditwithtears,thenfilleditwithdiamonds,leavingapurseofgoldupontheeasychair。
Inthemidstofhistransportscameanofficerintotheroom,followedbytheabbe,andafileofmusketeers。
"There",saidhe,"arethetwosuspectedforeigners。"Atthesametimeheorderedthemtobeseizedandcarriedtoprison。
"TravelersarenottreatedinthismannerinthecountryofElDorado",saidCandide。
"IammoreofaManichaeannowthanever",saidMartin。
"Butpray,goodsir,whereareyougoingtocarryus?"
saidCandide。
"Toadungeon,mydearsir",repliedtheofficer。
WhenMartinhadalittlerecoveredhimself,soastoformacooljudgmentofwhathadpassed,heplainlyperceivedthatthepersonwhohadactedthepartofMissCunegondewasacheat;thattheabbeofPerigordwasasharperwhohadimposeduponthehonestsimplicityofCandide,andthattheofficerwasaknave,whomtheymighteasilygetridof。
CandidefollowingtheadviceofhisfriendMartin,andburningwithimpatiencetoseetherealMissCunegonde,ratherthanbeobligedtoappearatacourtofjustice,proposedtotheofficertomakehimapresentofthreesmalldiamonds,eachofthemworththreethousandpistoles。
"Ah,sir",saidtheunderstrapperofjustice,"hadyoucommitedeversomuchvillainy,thiswouldrenderyouthehonestestmanliving,inmyeyes。
Threediamondsworththreethousandpistoles!Why,mydearsir,sofarfromcarryingyoutojail,Iwouldlosemylifetoserveyou。Thereareordersforstoppingallstrangers;butleaveittome,IhaveabrotheratDieppe,inNormandy。Imyselfwillconductyouthither,andifyouhaveadiamondlefttogivehimhewilltakeasmuchcareofyouasImyselfshould。"
"Butwhy",saidCandide,"dotheystopallstrangers?"
TheabbeofPerigordmadeanswerthatitwasbecauseapoordevilofthecountryofAtrebataheardsomebodytellfoolishstories,andthisinducedhimtocommitaparricide;notsuchaoneasthatinthemonthofMay,1610,butsuchasthatinthemonthofDecemberintheyear1594,andsuchasmanythathavebeenperpetratedinothermonthsandyears,byotherpoordevilswhohadheardfoolishstories。
Theofficerthenexplainedtothemwhattheabbemeant。
"Horridmonsters",exclaimedCandide,"isitpossiblethatsuchscenesshouldpassamongapeoplewhoareperpetuallysinginganddancing?Istherenoflyingthisabominablecountryimmediately,thisexecrablekingdomwheremonkeysprovoketigers?Ihaveseenbearsinmycountry,butmenI
havebeheldnowherebutinElDorado。InthenameofGod,sir",saidhetotheofficer,"domethekindnesstoconductmetoVenice,whereIamtowaitforMissCunegonde。"
"Really,sir",repliedtheofficer,"IcannotpossiblywaitonyoufartherthanLowerNormandy。"
Sosaying,heorderedCandide’sironstobestruckoff,acknowledgedhimselfmistaken,andsenthisfollowersabouttheirbusiness,afterwhichheconductedCandideandMartintoDieppe,andleftthemtothecareofhisbrother。
TherehappenedjustthentobeasmallDutchshipintheharbor。TheNorman,whomtheotherthreediamondshadconvertedintothemostobliging,serviceablebeingthateverbreathed,tookcaretoseeCandideandhisattendantssafeonboardthisvessel,thatwasjustreadytosailforPortsmouthinEngland。ThiswasnotthenearestwaytoVenice,indeed,butCandidethoughthimselfescapedoutofHell,anddidnot,intheleast,doubtbutheshouldquicklyfindanopportunityofresuminghisvoyagetoVenice。
chapter23CHAPTERXXIII
CANDIDEANDMARTINTOUCHUPONTHEENGLISH
COAST。WHATTHEYSEEHERE
AhPangloss!Pangloss!ahMartin!ahmydearMissCunegonde!
Whatsortofaworldisthis?"ThusexclaimedCandideassoonashegotonboardtheDutchship。
"Whysomethingveryfoolish,andveryabominable",saidMartin。
"YouareacquaintedwithEngland",saidCandide;"aretheyasgreatfoolsinthatcountryasinFrance?"
"Yes,butinadifferentmanner",answeredMartin。"YouknowthatthesetwonationsareatwaraboutafewacresofbarrenlandintheneighborhoodofCanada,andthattheyhaveexpendedmuchgreatersumsinthecontestthanallCanadaisworth。Tosayexactlywhetherthereareagreaternumberfittobeinhabitantsofamadhouseintheonecountrythantheother,exceedsthelimitsofmyimperfectcapacity;Iknowingeneralthatthepeoplewearegoingtovisitareofaverydarkandgloomydisposition。"
AstheywerechattingthustogethertheyarrivedatPortsmouth。
Theshoreoneachsidetheharborwaslinedwithamultitudeofpeople,whoseeyesweresteadfastlyfixedonalustymanwhowaskneelingdownonthedeckofoneofthemen-of-war,withsomethingtiedbeforehiseyes。Oppositetothispersonagestoodfoursoldiers,eachofwhomshotthreebulletsintohisskull,withallthecomposureimaginable;andwhenitwasdone,thewholecompanywentawayperfectlywellsatisfied。
"Whatthedevilisallthisfor?"saidCandide,"andwhatdemon,orfoeofmankind,lordsitthustyrannicallyovertheworld?"
Hethenaskedwhowasthatlustymanwhohadbeensentoutoftheworldwithsomuchceremony。Whenhereceivedforanswer,thatitwasanadmiral。
"Andpraywhydoyouputyouradmiraltodeath?"
"Becausehedidnotputasufficientnumberofhisfellowcreaturestodeath。
Youmustknow,hehadanengagementwithaFrenchadmiral,andithasbeenprovedagainsthimthathewasnotnearenoughtohisantagonist。"
"But",repliedCandide,"theFrenchadmiralmusthavebeenasfarfromhim。"
"Thereisnodoubtofthat;butinthiscountryitisfoundrequisite,nowandthen,toputanadmiraltodeath,inordertoencouragetheotherstofight。"
Candidewassoshockedatwhathesawandheard,thathewouldnotsetfootonshore,butmadeabargainwiththeDutchskipper(wereheeventorobhimlikethecaptainofSurinam)tocarryhimdirectlytoVenice。
Theskipperwasreadyintwodays。TheysailedalongthecoastofFrance,andpassedwithinsightofLisbon,atwhichCandidetrembled。